Bill > HB431

This bill requires Ohio public schools to annually screen students for human trafficking risk starting in the 2027-2028 school year using the University of Toledo's FOCUS youth screening tool. Beginning in 2026, the University of Toledo will provide free training to school districts on how to use the screening tool and will make the tool available in both digital and physical formats. The university will also create an online portal to track and publicly share the screening results while ensuring student privacy by not disclosing any personally identifiable information. The bill includes a $5 million appropriation to the Department of Higher Education to support the University of Toledo's implementation of the screening program, including training and maintaining the online tracking portal. The bill amends existing sections of the Revised Code related to community schools, science and technology schools, and college-preparatory boarding schools to include references to the new human trafficking screening requirements. The goal of the bill is to help identify students who may be at risk of or involved in human trafficking and provide early intervention.

Education

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb431