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CS/HB 1237 — Human Trafficking Awareness
by Education & Employment Committee and Reps. Booth, Overdorf, and others (CS/SB 444 by Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education and Senators Avila, Collins, and Yarborough)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Education Pre-K - 12 Committee (ED)
The bill creates requirements for human trafficking awareness training in public schools.
The bill requires the Department of Education (DOE) by December 1, 2025, to identify a free training curriculum regarding human trafficking awareness, which may be conducted either in-person or online. The training must include:
- The difference between sex trafficking and labor trafficking.
- The identification of students who may be victims of human trafficking.
- The role of school employees in reporting and responding to suspected human trafficking.
- A protocol for reporting suspected human trafficking.
Each public school, including charter schools, must require that the following staff receive human trafficking awareness training:
- Instructional personnel, to include classroom teachers, school counselors, social workers, career specialists, school psychologists, librarians and media specialists, learning specialists, and paraprofessionals.
- School administrators.
- Educational Support Employees, which includes, but is not limited to, doctors, nurses, secretaries, craft workers, and service workers.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 35-0; House 113-0