This document does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF FINAL BILL ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/HB 615 Human Trafficking
SPONSOR(S): Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee, Overdorf and others
TIED BILLS: CS/CS/HB 617 IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 1436
FINAL HOUSE FLOOR ACTION: 112 Y’s
0 N’s GOVERNOR’S ACTION: Pending
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
CS/HB 615 passed the House on March 2, 2022. The bill was amended in the Senate on March 4, 2022, and
was returned to the House. The House concurred in the Senate amendment as amended by the House on
March 10, 2022. The Senate concurred with the House amendment and subsequently passed the bill as
amended on March 11, 2022.
Human trafficking is modern-day slavery involving exploitation of an adult by using fraud, force, or coercion, or
exploitation of a minor or a person believed by the perpetrator to be a minor. The Statewide Council on Human
Trafficking (Council) was created in 2014 to enhance the development and coordination of state and local law
enforcement and social services responses to fight commercial sexual exploitation as a form of human
trafficking and to support human trafficking victims. In 2019, the Legislature required a direct-support
organization (DSO) to be created to provide assistance, funding, and support to the Council and authorized the
DSO to contract with Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security, and Tactics (FIRST) which is required
to develop specified human trafficking training, ready for statewide dissemination by October 1, 2019.
Foster parents and residential child-caring or child placement agencies are required to complete specified
preservice and inservice training. Currently, training related to human trafficking is only required for foster
parents seeking licensure as a safe foster home for victims of human trafficking and select agency staff,
including child protective investigators, case managers, and their supervisors.
In Florida, firesafety inspectors are officially assigned the duties of conducting firesafety inspections in both
new and existing buildings and facilities on a recurring or regular basis. Due to their unique position of
consistently inspecting buildings, firesafety inspectors may be able to detect and report human trafficking if
properly trained in recognizing indicators of human trafficking.
The bill amends s. 16.617, F.S., to require the Council to: assess the frequency and extent to which social
media platforms are used to assist, facilitate, or support human trafficking within the state; establish a process
to detect such use on a consistent basis; and make recommendations on how to stop, reduce, or prevent
social media platforms from being used for such purposes. The bill also amends s. 16.618, F.S., to require the
DSO to develop training for firesafety inspectors related to recognizing and reporting human trafficking and
allows such training to be eligible for the continuing education credits required under s. 633.216(4), F.S., for a
firesafety inspector to renew his or her certification. The bill also removes obsolete language which requires
FIRST to develop specified training no later than October 1, 2019. Such training was developed by FIRST and
is currently available online.
The bill amends s. 409.175, F.S., to require foster parents and all residential child-caring or child placement
agency staff to complete specified training related to recognizing, preventing, and reporting human trafficking,
including, at a minimum: basic information on human trafficking; factors and knowledge on how to identify
children at risk of human trafficking; and how to prevent children from becoming victims of human trafficking.
The bill also requires foster parents, before licensure renewal, and agency staff, during each full year of
employment, to complete inservice training related to human trafficking. The Department of Children (DCF)
and Families must develop the training materials or outsource the development to an agency approved trainer.
The bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the DSO and DCF by requiring the development of new
training related to human trafficking.
Subject to the Governor’s veto powers, the effective date of this bill is July 1, 2022.
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I. SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION
A. EFFECT OF CHANGES:
Background
Human trafficking is modern day slavery which involves transporting, soliciting, recruiting, harboring,
providing, enticing, maintaining, purchasing, patronizing, procuring, or obtaining another person for the
purpose of exploiting that person.
1
A person may not knowingly, or in reckless disregard of the facts,
engage in human trafficking, attempt to engage in human trafficking, or benefit financially by receiving
anything of value from participating in a venture that has subjected a person to human trafficking for
commercial sexual activity,
2
labor, or services:
By using coercion;
3
Of a child younger than 18 or an adult believed by the person to be a child younger than 18;
4
or
If for commercial sexual activity, with a mentally defective
5
or mentally incapacitated
6
person.
7
According to the United States Department of State, traffickers compel victims to engage in commercial
sex and to work in both legal and illicit industries, including in hospitality, traveling sales crews,
agriculture, janitorial services, construction, landscaping, restaurants, factories, care for persons with
disabilities, salon services, massage parlors, retail services, fairs and carnivals, peddling and begging,
drug smuggling and distribution, religious institutions, child care, and domestic work.
8
In 2020, the
National Human Trafficking Hotline received a total of 51,667 substantive phone calls, texts, webchats,
emails, or online tip reports regarding human trafficking nationwide.
9
Social media is often used by traffickers to recruit victims of human trafficking and increase trafficking
operations.
10
In particular, sex trafficking recruitment via social media has recently increased, especially
since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
11
Recruiting victims online is typically considered less
risky than recruiting victims in person.
12
Children and youth are contacted, recruited, and sold for sex
on social media, as traffickers are able to lure them in with online friendships and then manipulate them
into becoming victims.
13
In 2019, Psychology Today reported that a recent survey of more than 1,000
American children between the ages of 13 and 17 found that 70 percent use social media several times
1
S. 787.06(2)(d), F.S.
2
Commercial sexual activity means any prostitution, lewdness, or assignation offense or attempt to commit such an offense, and
includes a sexually explicit performance and the production of pornography. S. 787.06(2)(b), F.S.
3
S. 787.06(3)(a)2., (b), (c)2., (d), (e)2., and (f)2., F.S. Coercion includes: using or threatening to use force against a person; restraining,
isolating, or confining a person without lawful authority and against his or her will, or threatening to do so; using lending or other credit
methods to establish a debt by a person when labor or services are pledged as a security for the debt, if the reasonably assessed value
of the labor or services is not applied toward the liquidation of the debt; destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating, withholding, or
possessing any actual or purported passport, visa, other immigration document, or government identification document; causing or
threatening to cause financial harm; enticing or luring a person by fraud or deceit; or providing a Schedule I or II controlled substance
to a person for the purpose of exploiting that person. S. 787.06(2)(a), F.S.
4
S. 787.06(3)(a)1., (c)1., (e)1., (f)1., or (g), F.S.
5
Mentally defective means a mental disease or defect which renders a person temporarily or permanently incapable of appraising the
nature of his or her conduct. S. 794.011(1)(a), F.S.
6
Mentally incapacitated means temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling a person's own conduct due to the influence of a
narcotic, anesthetic, or intoxicating substance administered without his or her consent or due to any other act committed upon that
person without his or her consent. S. 794.011(1)(b), F.S.
7
S. 787.06(3)(g), F.S.
8
U.S. Department of State, Federal Response to Human Trafficking, About Human Trafficking, https://www.state.gov/humantrafficking-
about-human-trafficking/#profile (last visited Mar. 21, 2022).
9
National Human Trafficking Hotline, 2020 National Hotline Annual Report, https://humantraffickinghotline.org/resources/2020-national-
hotline-annual-report (last visited Mar. 21, 2022).
10
Polaris, Human Trafficking and Social Media, Human Trafficking and Social Media | Polaris (polarisproject.org) (last visited Mar. 21,
2022).
11
Anderson, M., & Thompson, R., Danger Warning! Social Media Sex Trafficking Recruitment is on the Rise since COVID Pandemic,
the DCF & Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center, Feb. 19, 2021, Danger Warning! Social Media Sex Trafficking Recruitment is on the
Rise since COVID 19 Pandemic (Training Video) (usf.edu) (last visited Mar. 21, 2022).
12
Withers, M., Social Media Platforms Help Promote Human Trafficking, How Sex Trafficking is Bolstered by Social Media, and What to
Do about It, Nov. 22, 2019, Social Media Platforms Help Promote Human Trafficking | Psychology Today (last visited Mar. 21, 2022).
13
Id.
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per day.
14
The National Human Trafficking Hotline indicated that in 2019 there were 447 human
trafficking situations in which the venue/industry of potential trafficking was an online ad,
15
and 24 of
those situations were received from Florida.
16
Statewide Council on Human Trafficking
The Statewide Council on Human Trafficking (Council), within the Department of Legal Affairs (DLA), is
tasked with:
Developing recommendations for human trafficking victim programs and services, including
certification criteria for safe houses and foster homes.
Making recommendations for apprehending and prosecuting traffickers.
Annually holding a statewide policy summit.
Working with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to create and maintain an
inventory of human trafficking programs and services in each county.
Developing policy recommendations.
17
Membership on the Council includes:
The Attorney General, or a designee, serving as chair.
The Secretary of Children and Families, or a designee, serving as vice chair.
The State Surgeon General, or a designee.
The Secretary of Health Care Administration, or a designee.
The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement, or a designee.
The Secretary of Juvenile Justice, or a designee.
The Commissioner of Education, or a designee.
One member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.
One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
An elected sheriff appointed by the Attorney General.
An elected state attorney appointed by the Attorney General.
Two members appointed by the Governor, and two members appointed by the Attorney
General, who have professional experience to assist the Council in the development of care and
treatment options for human trafficking victims.
18
DSO Supporting the Council – Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking
A direct-support organization (DSO) is a non-profit organization authorized by statute to carry out
specific tasks in support of a public entity or public cause. The function and purpose of a DSO is
detailed in its enacting statute and the contract with the agency the DSO was created to support.
19
In 2019, the Legislature required DLA to establish a DSO to provide assistance, funding, and support to
the Council, and to assist in the fulfillment of the Council’s purposes.
20
The DSO met for the first time in
August 2019 and incorporated as the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking.
21
The DSO is
statutorily required to be:
14
Id.
15
2020 National Human Trafficking Hotline Annual Report,
https://humantraffickinghotline.org/sites/default/files/National%20Report%20For%202020.pdf (last visited Mar. 21, 2022).
16
2020 National Human Trafficking Hotline Report for Florida,
https://humantraffickinghotline.org/sites/default/files/Florida%20State%20Report%20For%202020.pdf (last visited Mar. 21, 2022).
17
S. 16.617, F.S.
18
Id.
19
Ss. 14.29(9)(a), 16.616(1), and 258.015(1), F.S. See also Rules of the Florida Auditor General, Audits of Certain Nonprofit
Organizations (effective June 30, 2021), Rule 10.720(1)(b) and (d), https://flauditor.gov/pages/pdf_files/10_700.pdf (last visited Mar. 21,
2022).
20
Ch. 2019-152, Laws of Fla.; S. 16.618, F.S.
21
Office of the Attorney General, Statewide Council on Human Trafficking,
http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/main/8aea5858b1253d0d85257d34005afa72 (last visited Mar. 21, 2022).
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A Florida not for profit corporation, incorporated under chapter 617, and approved by the
Secretary of State;
Organized and operated exclusively to solicit funds; request and receive grants, gifts, and
bequests of money; acquire, receive, hold, invest, and administer, in its own name, property and
funds; and make expenditures in support of the purposes specified under s.16.618, F.S.; and
Certified by DLA, after review, to be operating in a manner consistent with the purposes of the
DSO and in the best interests of the state.
22
The DSO’s board of directors must be thirteen members, including:
Two members appointed by the executive director of the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement, both of whom must have experience and knowledge in the area of human
trafficking.
Three members appointed by the Attorney General:
o One of whom must be a human trafficking survivor.
o One of whom must be a mental health expert.
Four members appointed by the President of the Senate.
Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
23
The DSO is authorized to contract with Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security, and Tactics
(FIRST) to develop required training. The contract with FIRST must provide that the DSO may
terminate the contract if FIRST fails to meet its obligations under s. 16.618(4), F.S. In addition, if FIRST
ceases to exist, or if the contract between the DSO and FIRST is terminated, DLA must contract with
another organization to develop the required training and information.
24
FIRST, which is managed by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, is designed to train public safety
leaders.
25
Section 16.618(4), F.S., requires FIRST to develop training focused on detecting human
trafficking, best practices for reporting human trafficking, and the interventions and treatment for human
trafficking survivors. In developing the training, FIRST must consult with law enforcement agencies,
human trafficking survivors, industry representatives, tourism representatives, and other interested
parties and conduct research to determine the reduction in recidivism attributable to the education of
the harms of human trafficking for first-time offenders.
26
The training was required to be ready for
statewide dissemination no later than October 1, 2019.
27
The training was developed, and can currently
be accessed online.
28
Firesafety Inspectors
In Florida, a firesafety inspector is a person who holds a current and valid Fire Safety Inspector
Certificate of Compliance issued by the Division of State Fire Marshal within the Department of
Financial Services (DFS) under s. 633.216, F.S., and who is officially assigned the duties of conducting
firesafety inspections of buildings and facilities on a recurring or regular basis on behalf of the state or
any county, municipality, or special district with fire safety responsibilities.
29
Subject to a person meeting minimum qualifications, the Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of
Firefighter Standards and Training issues certifications for Firesafety Inspector I and Firesafety
Inspector II.
30
A Firesafety Inspector Certificate of Compliance is valid for four years from the date of its
22
S. 16.618(1), F.S.
23
S. 16.618(3), F.S.
24
S. 16.618(4)(a), F.S.
25
F1RST, Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security, & Tactics, https://www.floridafirsttraining.org/#/home (last visited Mar. 21,
2022).
26
S. 16.618(4)(b), F.S.
27
16.618(4)(b), F.S.
28
Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking, https://fateht.vidcert.com/register (last visited Mar. 21, 2022).
29
S. 633.102(12), F.S.
30
See s. 633.216(2), F.S.; Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, Division of State Fire Marshal, Firesafety Inspector I Certification
(Jun. 8, 2021), https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/sfm/bfst/Documents/FiresafetyInspectorI.pdf (last visited Mar. 21, 2022); and
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issuance, and certification renewal is subject to completing an application for renewal and meeting the
requirements for renewal as established or adopted by DFS rule or under ch. 633, F.S., which must
include completing at least 54 hours of continuing education during the preceding four year period or
successfully passing an examination established by DFS.
31
Firesafety inspectors are typically responsible for inspections, re-inspections, and change-of-occupancy
inspections in both new building construction and existing building construction for a variety of buildings
and structures. Other duties may include, but are not limited to, ensuring fire safety equipment is
installed and maintained properly and that firefighting, fire protection, and all other fire safety
requirements are fulfilled in accordance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, Florida Administrative
Codes, county ordinances, and other adopted standards.
32
Due to their unique position of regularly
inspecting buildings, firesafety inspectors may be able to detect and report human trafficking if properly
trained in recognizing common indicators of human trafficking.
Licensed Foster Care
Foster home placements are intended to provide a temporary, safe place for a child to live until he or
she can be reunited with his or her family, is adopted by a family, or is otherwise placed permanently in
a home. The recruitment, training, and licensure of foster parents is conducted by community-based
care lead agencies that maintain contracts with DCF.
33
Foster parents are responsible for the care and
well-being of a child placed with the parents, including maintaining the child’s health, safety, and best
interests and encouraging his or her emotional and developmental growth. Following placement, a
foster child should be closely monitored by a case worker, who provides support and additional training
related to special needs.
34
In 2019, Florida moved to a system of foster home licensing that consisted of five distinct levels: level I:
Child-Specific Foster Home; level II: Non-Child Specific Foster Home;
35
level III: Safe Foster Home for
Victims of Human Trafficking; level IV: Therapeutic Foster Home; and level V: Medical Foster Home.
36
Level I: Child-Specific Foster Home
A child specific licensed foster home is designed for relatives and nonrelatives who have an existing
relationship with the child for whom they are seeking licensure. When a child is not able to safely
remain at home with their parents, a family or like-family member who is willing and able to provide care
for the child, is the next best alternative.
37
Level II: Non-Child Specific Foster Home
A non-child specific licensed foster home is intended for situations when placement with a relative or
nonrelative caregiver is not possible. This licensure type is available to individuals in the community
who may be interested in fostering.
38
Level III: Safe Foster Home for Victims of Human Trafficking
Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, Division of State Fire Marshal, Firesafety Inspector II Certification (Sept. 26, 2012),
https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/sfm/bfst/Documents/FiresafetyInspectorII.pdf (last visited Mar. 21, 2022).
31
S. 633.216(4), F.S., and Rules 69A-39.003, 69A-39.005, and 69A-39.009, F.A.C.
32
See Orange County Government Fire Rescue Department, Fire Inspector I Fire Inspector Recruit,
https://www.orangecountyfl.net/Portals/0/Library/Employment-Volunteerism/docs/Fire%20Inspector%20I-CERT.pdf (last visited Mar. 21,
2022). The Villages Fire Rescue Department, Currently Recruiting for Fire Inspector,
https://www.myfloridacfo.com/campaigns/firecollege/VillagesInsp.pdf (last visited Mar. 21, 2022).
33
DCF, Lead Agency Map, https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/community-based-care/lead-agency-map.shtml (last visited
Mar. 21, 2022).
34
See s. 409.1415(2), F.S., for specific roles and responsibilities of foster parents.
35
Homes previously considered “Traditional” foster homes are now categorized under Level II.
36
DCF, Levels of Foster Care Licensure, https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/foster-care/levels.shtml (last visited Mar. 21,
2022). See also, Florida FAPA, Become a Foster Parent, https://floridafapa.org/become-a-foster-parent/ (last visited Mar. 21, 2022).
37
Id.
38
Id.
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Safe foster home means a foster home certified by DCF to care for sexually exploited children.
39
This
level of licensure is for individuals interested in providing a safe and stable environment for victims of
human trafficking.
40
In addition to meeting standard licensing requirements, safe foster homes must meet certification
requirements including:
41
Using strength-based and trauma-informed approaches to care;
Providing care exclusively for one sex;
Grouping child victims of commercial sexual exploitation by age or maturity level;
Caring for child victims of commercial sexual exploitation in a manner that separates those
children from children with other needs;
Having awake staff on duty 24 hours a day;
Providing appropriate security though facility design, hardware, technology, staffing, and siting;
and
Meeting other criteria established by DCF rule.
Level IV: Therapeutic Foster Home
This level of licensure is for caregivers who have received specialized training to care for a wide variety
of children and adolescents who may have significant emotional, behavioral, or social needs. As a
therapeutic foster parent, individualized care is provided in the home by the foster parent to ensure a
child receives the appropriate level of care in the least restrictive setting.
42
Level V: Medical Foster Home
This licensure type is for caregivers who have received specialized training to provide care for children
and adolescents with chronic medical conditions. Medical foster parents care for children from birth
through age 20 with medically-complex conditions whose parents are unable to care for them in their
own homes, and allow such children to live and receive care in a foster home rather than in a hospital
or other facility setting.
43
Training Requirements for Foster Placement
DCF is required to provide or cause to be provided preservice training for prospective foster parents
and inservice training for foster parents who are licensed and supervised by DCF.
44
In consultation with
foster parents, each region or lead agency is required to develop a plan to make completing the
required training as convenient as possible for potential foster parents, including strategies such as
providing training in nontraditional locations and at nontraditional times. The plan must be revised at
least annually and must be included in the information provided to each person applying to become a
foster parent.
45
Before licensure renewal, each foster parent must successfully complete inservice training. Periodic
time-limited training courses must be made available for selective use by foster parents and must
include subjects related to the daily living experiences of a foster parent. DCF is required to reimburse
foster parents participating in the required inservice straining for travel expenses and, if attending the
training results in the need for child care for the foster children in a home, DCF is required to provide
child care or reimburse the foster parents for the child care costs incurred.
46
39
S. 409.1678(1), F.S.
40
DCF supra, note 36.
41
S. 409.1678(2)–(3), F.S.
42
S. 409.175(5)(a)4., F.S.
43
S. 409.175(5)(a)4., F.S.
44
S. 409.175(14), F.S.
45
S. 409.175(14)(c), F.S.
46
S. 409.175(14)(d), F.S.
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Except in limited circumstances,
47
foster parents are required, as a condition of licensure, to
successfully complete preservice training, which must be uniform statewide and include, but not be
limited to, training in subjects such as:
48
Orientation regarding agency purpose, objectives, resources, policies, and services;
The role of the foster parent as a treatment team member;
Transitioning a child into and out of foster care;
Managing difficult child behavior that can be intensified by placement, prior abuse or neglect, or
prior placement disruptions;
Preventing placement disruptions;
Caring for children at various developmental levels;
The effects of foster parenting on the family of the foster parent; and
Information about and contact information for the local mobile response team as a means for
addressing a behavioral health crisis or preventing placement disruption.
49
The community-based care lead agencies must also ensure that foster parents of safe foster homes for
victims of human trafficking and staff of safe houses complete intensive training regarding, at a
minimum:
The needs of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation;
The effects of trauma and sexual exploitation; and
How to address those needs using strength-based and trauma-informed approaches.
50
Additionally, foster parents who provide specialized residential placement for children who are victims
of commercial sexual exploitation must receive 24 hours of specialized training in commercial sexual
exploitation prior to receiving certification to care for such children,
51
Specifically, the intensive training
on commercially exploited children must include information relating to:
Distinctions between sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and sexual trafficking;
Language and sensitivity;
Pathways to entry into sexual exploitation and sexual trafficking;
Exploiters;
Tactics of coercion and control;
Impact of sexual exploitation;
Stockholm Syndrome and trauma bonding;
Identifying victims;
Meeting the needs of victims;
Trauma triggers;
Trauma-informed care;
Vicarious trauma and self-care strategies;
Behavior management activities; and
Intersection of labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
52
Training for Agency Staff
For purposes of s. 409.175, F.S., the term “agency” means a residential child-caring agency or child
placing agency.
53
A “residential child-caring agency” means any person, corporation, or agency, public
or private, other than a child’s parent or legal guardian, that provides staffed 24-hour care for a child in
a facility maintained for that purpose, regardless of whether operated for profit or whether a fee is
47
Rule 65C-45.002, F.A.C. provides that, in limited instances, applicants who have completed a DCF approved preservice training
curriculum within the last 5 years or who completed training in another state are exempt from completing certain pre-training
requirements.
48
S. 409.175(14)(b), F.S.
49
Rule 65C-45.002, F.A.C., provides additional training topics.
50
S. 409.1678(2)(e), F.S.
51
Rule 65C-43.004(2), F.A.C.
52
Rule 65C-43.004(4), F.A.C.
53
S. 409.175(2)(a), F.S.
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charged.
54
A “child-placing agency” means any person, corporation, or agency, public or private, other
than the parent or legal guardian of the child or an intermediary acting pursuant to ch. 63, F.S., that
receives a child for placement and places or arranges for the placement of a child in a family foster
home, residential child-caring agency, or adoptive home.
55
Currently, only selected agency staff receive training on human trafficking. Child protective investigators
and case managers, and their supervisors, must receive a minimum of six hours of specialized training
on human trafficking approved by DCF prior to accepting cases with children or young adult victims of
human trafficking.
56
The specialized training in human trafficking is required to be conducted by a DCF-
approved trainer and consists of:
Three hours of live training pertaining to human trafficking;
One hour of live training pertaining to Legislative language addressing human trafficking; and
Two hours of additional live training on specialized topics related to human trafficking of
children.
Each year child protective investigators and case managers must receive a minimum of one hour of
ongoing training per quarter on human trafficking or related topics in order to continue receiving cases
involving child or young adult victims of human trafficking. Any professional administering the Human
Trafficking Screening Tool (HTST) must meet the training requirements set forth in Rule 65C-43.005,
F.A.C., and must have completed the DCF approved training for the HTST prior to administering the
tool.
57
Similar to foster parents of safe foster homes, staff of safe houses must also complete intensive
training.
58
Effect of the Bill
The bill amends s. 16.67, F.S., to require the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, in addition to its
other statutory duties, to:
Assess the frequency and extent to which social media platforms are used to assist, facilitate, or
support human trafficking within the state;
Establish a process to detect such use on a consistent basis; and
Make recommendations on how to stop, reduce, or prevent social media platforms from being
used for such purposes.
The bill amends s. 16.618, F.S., to require the DSO, currently incorporated as the Florida Alliance to
End Human Trafficking, to develop training specifically for firesafety inspectors related to recognizing
and reporting human trafficking, and allows for such training to be eligible for the continuing education
credits required under s. 633.216(4), F.S., for a firesafety inspector to renew his or her certification. The
DSO may contract with FIRST to develop such training or develop the training on its own. The bill also
removes obsolete language which requires FIRST to develop human trafficking training for statewide
dissemination no later than October 1, 2019. Such training was developed and is currently available
online. Under the bill, FIRST is still required to make such training available for statewide
dissemination.
The bill amends s. 409.175, F.S., to require foster parents and all agency staff to complete preservice
and inservice training related to recognizing, preventing, and reporting human trafficking. The
preservice training must include the following topics, at a minimum:
Basic information on human trafficking, such as an understanding of relevant terminology and
the differences between sex trafficking and labor trafficking;
Factors and knowledge on how to identify children at risk of human trafficking; and
Steps that may be taken to prevent children from becoming victims of human trafficking.
54
S. 409.175(2)(l), F.S.
55
S. 409.175(2)(d), F.S.
56
Rule 65C-43.005, F.A.C.
57
Rule 65C-45.001, F.A.C.
58
S. 409.1678(2)(e), F.S.
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The bill requires foster parents, before licensure renewal, and agency staff, during each full year of
employment, to complete inservice training related to human trafficking. DCF must develop the relevant
training materials for the preservice and inservice training or outsource the development to an agency
approved trainer.
The bill also reenacts s. 63.092(3)(e), F.S., to incorporate the changes made to s. 409.175, F.S., by the
bill.
Subject to the Governor’s veto powers, the effective date of this bill is July 1, 2022.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
None.
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D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
The bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the DSO by requiring it to develop new human
trafficking training for firesafety inspectors and on DCF by requiring it to develop new human trafficking
training for foster parents and agency staff.