Loyola Law School Sunita Jain
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Loyola Law School Sunita Jain
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POLICY PRIORITIES

2022 LEGISLATION

AB-1820 (Arambula) - California Labor Trafficking Prevention Act

Assembly Bill 1820, authored by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, was introduced in the 2021-2022 legislative session as the California Labor Trafficking Prevention Act. The bill sought to address labor trafficking by enhancing enforcement and providing better protections for workers. It specifically aimed to empower the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) within the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) to investigate and enforce labor trafficking violations more effectively.

Purpose: 

  • Establishing measures to detect and address labor trafficking within workplaces.
  • Creating a framework for educating and training state officials, employers, and workers about the signs of labor trafficking.
  • Ensuring survivors of labor trafficking could access resources and support to recover from exploitation.

By focusing on education, enforcement, and survivor assistance, the bill aimed to strengthen California's capacity to combat labor trafficking and protect vulnerable workers from exploitation.

Outcome: AB 1820 did not progress to become law during the 2021-2022 legislative session. The bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and failed to advance further, primarily due to fiscal considerations. As a result, it is considered inactive.

 

AB-2628 (Reyes) - Trafficked Children Assistance Program

Assembly Bill 2628, introduced by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes during the 2021-2022 legislative session, aimed to expand protections and services for all trafficked children in California. The bill proposed renaming the existing Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Program to the Human Trafficked Children Program (HTCP), thereby broadening its scope to include victims of both sex and labor trafficking. This change intended to ensure that all trafficked children receive appropriate support and services. 

Purpose: 

  • Inclusive Support: Expand the existing CSEC Program to encompass children who are victims of labor trafficking, ensuring they receive the same protections and services as those subjected to sexual exploitation.

  • Policy and Procedure Updates: Mandate county child welfare agencies and probation departments to revise their policies and procedures to address the needs of all trafficked children, including those at risk of labor trafficking.

  • Data Collection and Reporting: Require the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to collect and report data on all human trafficking victims, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the issue and informing policy decisions.

By implementing these measures, the bill sought to provide a more holistic approach to combating human trafficking among minors in California.

Outcome: AB 2628 progressed through various legislative stages but did not become law during the 2021-2022 session. The bill was held in committee and did not advance to a full vote before the session concluded. Consequently, the proposed changes to expand the CSEC Program to include all trafficked children were not enacted.

 

AB-2169 (Gipson) - Human Trafficking, Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence : Protections for Non-Citizen Survivor

Assembly Bill 2169, authored by Assemblymember Mike Gipson during the 2021-2022 legislative session, focused on enhancing protections for non-citizen survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence. The bill sought to address barriers faced by non-citizen survivors in accessing protections and legal remedies under existing California law.

Purpose: 

  • Strengthen Protections: Expand legal protections and support services for non-citizen survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, ensuring that immigration status does not impede access to justice or assistance.
  • Promote Awareness: Mandate agencies and organizations to provide information about protections available to non-citizen survivors, including legal remedies under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) and other state laws.
  • Facilitate Access to Resources: Ensure that survivors are informed about and can access visa protections, such as T visas and U visas, which provide a path to lawful status for victims of trafficking and certain crimes who cooperate with law enforcement.

The bill aimed to address systemic inequities and ensure non-citizen survivors could receive the same protections as others, empowering them to seek safety and rebuild their lives.

Outcome: AB 2169 progressed through several legislative stages but ultimately did not pass during the 2021-2022 legislative session. The bill was held in committee, halting further action and preventing its provisions from being enacted into law.