Bill > HB150

This bill addresses child trafficking and sexual exploitation by requiring new screening procedures for vulnerable minors in Alaska. The bill expands the definition of "commercial sexual exploitation" to mean the sexual abuse or exploitation of a child for financial benefit or in exchange for something of value. It mandates that shelters for runaway minors screen children upon intake and when there are indications of heightened risk for sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or commercial sexual exploitation, using a standardized screening methodology developed by the Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS). The bill also requires DFCS to screen children committed to their custody when they are initially taken into care and if new information suggests potential victimization. Additionally, when a child who was previously missing is located, DFCS must investigate the child's experiences during their absence, determine the factors that led to their disappearance, and screen them for potential sexual abuse, trafficking, or exploitation. The bill provides a one-year transition period for DFCS to develop and implement the shared screening methodology, with the goal of better identifying and protecting vulnerable children from sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Health and Social Services

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB150