BILL NUMBER: AB 988 ENROLLED BILL TEXT PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 2, 2009 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY MAY 26, 2009 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 18, 2009 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 22, 2009 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 2, 2009 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Brownley (Coauthor: Assembly Member Ma) FEBRUARY 27, 2009 An act to amend Section 13519.14 of the Penal Code, relating to human trafficking. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 988, Brownley. Human trafficking: training content. Existing law establishes the offense of human trafficking. Existing law requires the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to implement a course or courses of instruction for the training of law enforcement officers in California in the handling of human trafficking complaints and to develop guidelines for law enforcement response to human trafficking, as specified. This bill would additionally require the commission, upon the next regularly scheduled review of a training module relating to human trafficking, to create and make available training content on the U Visa, as specified. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 13519.14 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 13519.14. (a) (1) The commission shall implement by January 1, 2007, a course or courses of instruction for the training of law enforcement officers in California in the handling of human trafficking complaints and also shall develop guidelines for law enforcement response to human trafficking. The course or courses of instruction and the guidelines shall stress the dynamics and manifestations of human trafficking, identifying and communicating with victims, providing documentation that satisfies the law enforcement agency endorsement (LEA) required by federal law, collaboration with federal law enforcement officials, therapeutically appropriate investigative techniques, the availability of civil and immigration remedies and community resources, and protection of the victim. Where appropriate, the training presenters shall include human trafficking experts with experience in the delivery of direct services to victims of human trafficking. Completion of the course may be satisfied by telecommunication, video training tape, or other instruction. (2) The commission shall, upon the next regularly scheduled review of a training module relating to human trafficking, create and make available training content on the U Visa as authorized by the federal Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. The training shall include how to inform victims about the U Visa and how to apply for a U Visa. The training regarding the U Visa shall include, but not be limited to, an explanation that it is available to noncitizen crime victims who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse from criminal activity, have information regarding criminal activity, and assist government officials in the investigation or prosecution of that criminal activity, if the criminal activity violated United States law or occurred in the United States, including Indian country and military installations, or in the territories and possessions of the United States. The training content shall be designed for, and made available to, peace officers employed by law enforcement agencies that participate in, and comply with, training standards set forth by the commission. (b) As used in this section, "law enforcement officer" means any officer or employee of a local police department or sheriff's office, and any peace officer of the California Highway Patrol, as defined by subdivision (a) of Section 830.2. (c) The course of instruction, the learning and performance objectives, the standards for the training, and the guidelines shall be developed by the commission in consultation with appropriate groups and individuals having an interest and expertise in the field of human trafficking. (d) The commission, in consultation with these groups and individuals, shall review existing training programs to determine in what ways human trafficking training may be included as a part of ongoing programs. (e) Participation in the course or courses specified in this section by peace officers or the agencies employing them is voluntary.