Youngkin signs bills concerning human trafficking and its survivors – CBS19 News

Governor Glenn Youngkin signed seven bills on Wednesday and then witnessed the swearing-in for the new Commission on Human Trafficking Prevention and Survivor Support.

“Today's first Human Trafficking Commission meeting and the signing of these bills are important milestones in the Commonwealth's mission to combat human trafficking in Virginia. We gathered together today as a demonstration of the continued collaboration and commitment from this Administration, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the General Assembly, localities and Virginians to eradicate human trafficking in Virginia,” he said. “We know that what we will do here will have a ripple effect on trafficking across the nation.” 

“Human trafficking is one of the most heinous, widespread crimes of the 21st century. In addition to rehabilitation and survivor aid support, one of our top priorities is prevention. The war against human trafficking is a complicated, uphill battle, and I am confident these new measures will make a significant impact in the fight against human trafficking. My office looks forward to working with the members of Governor Youngkin's Human Trafficking Commission to further identify solutions to this horrible crime,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. 

Below is a list of the various pieces of legislation that Youngkin signed:

House Bill 258 – directs the state Department of Criminal Justice Services to develop an online course to train hotel proprietors and employees to recognize and report instances of suspected human trafficking.

House Bill 283/Senate Bill 467 – Department of Criminal Justice Services required to establish training standards for law-enforcement personnel for the recognition, prevention and reporting of human trafficking.

House Bill 526 – grants a non-Virginia student who is currently in the Commonwealth as a result of being a victim of human trafficking eligibility for in-state tuition.

House Bill 711 – provides victims of sex trafficking a way to petition to not be required to pay any fees or costs for filing a petition for writ of vacatur if they are unable to pay such fees and costs.

House Bill 1023 – allows any family life education curriculum offered by a local school division in high school to include age-appropriate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on preventing, recognizing, and being aware of the human trafficking of children.

House Bill 1334 – amends the definition of “abused or neglected child” to include a child being sexually exploited or abused by an intimate partner of the child's parent or caretaker and allows complaints to be deemed valid by local social services departments in such instances.