Multidisciplinary teams: human trafficking and domestic violence.
By amending the Penal Code, AB 704 provides a structured approach for counties to collaborate in addressing domestic violence and human trafficking. This collaborative model aims to break down silos between agencies, thus allowing for a more integrated response. The bill establishes a legal framework for the exchange of sensitive information, ensuring that personnel involved in these cases can communicate effectively while adhering to confidentiality requirements. As a result, victims might receive more coordinated support, which can lead to better outcomes in investigations and services.
Assembly Bill 704, introduced by Assembly Member Grayson, seeks to enhance the coordination of efforts to combat domestic violence and human trafficking within California by establishing multidisciplinary personnel teams. These teams will comprise various professionals, including law enforcement officers, therapists, medical personnel, and social workers, who are trained in dealing with cases of domestic violence and human trafficking. The intent of the bill is to allow these professionals to share confidential information necessary for the prevention and treatment of these issues, thereby improving the efficacy of responses to such crimes.
While many stakeholders support the bill's goal of improving the response to domestic violence and human trafficking, there are concerns regarding the handling of sensitive information shared among team members. Critics worry about the potential misuse of shared data and the implications for privacy rights. It raises questions about how information will be managed to protect victims' confidentiality while ensuring efficient collaboration among various agencies. The success of AB 704 will largely depend on how these confidentiality protocols are developed and implemented.