Sponsoring Human Trafficking Legislation in California
In 2008, JL of Los Angeles (JLLA) created and sponsored a piece of state legislation entitled AB 2810: AB 2810 AB 2810 that requires law enforcement agencies to assess whether a victim of domestic violence or rape, or a person “suspected of violating” California’s solicitation and prostitution laws, is also a victim of human trafficking. The statute provides specific indicators, including lack of control over one’s identification, lack of freedom of movement and signs of trauma or poor care, by which to make this determination. The bill also requires law enforcement agencies to inform the victim that his or her name can be withheld from public record should they request it and requires identifying information be kept confidential except for agencies involved in investigating and prosecuting the case. The bill was authored by State Assembly Member Julia Brownley, a former Junior League member who reconnected with the League as a result of this legislation. JLLA has since developed a strong partnership with her office, as she now hosts Junior League women as interns during JLLA’s Public Policy Institute. Assembly Member Brownley is also the author of CalSPAC's (The Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee) sponsored legislation addressing school breakfasts and food policy this year. In 2010, CalSPAC supported a piece of legislation AB 2319, which would have expanded the scope of the offense of human trafficking to provide that any person who causes, induces, or persuades a person under 18 years of age to engage in a commercial sex act, as
defined, with the intent to effect or maintain specified felonies, or who obtains forced labor or services from a minor, is guilty of human trafficking. Due to the fiscal impact of a
mandated program on the state's budget, it was held in Appropriations. On May 5, 2011, JLLA will host the Community Leadership Forum dedicated to "Law Enforcement's Role in Anti-Trafficking Efforts and How to Increase Collaboration with Related Organizations." These organizations are not just the non-profits we typically think about, but also medical, legal, social and emergency services.