Bill > HF2565

Introduced Session

This bill establishes a human trafficking investigative task force. DIVISION I. The bill provides that a task force to combat human trafficking is established within the department of public safety (department) to oversee and coordinate efforts to combat human trafficking, and shall be known as the Iowa human trafficking task force (task force). The task force shall have the full authority to make arrests, to call on other law enforcement entities within the state to assist with arrests and investigations, and to provide any back-up or necessary support that it requires in the execution of its duties as prescribed by law. It shall also have an office and call center 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, even during holidays. The bill provides that the commissioner of the department shall appoint a director of the task force. The task force will have four teams that are divided geographically into four quadrants where interstates 35 and 80 shall be the boundaries, and shall have the following personnel: a deputy director who shall be a certified law enforcement officer having specialized training in human trafficking; one person to act as an intelligence and evidence officer or investigator having specialized training in human trafficking, white collar crimes, and intelligence gathering and analysis; one person to oversee and conduct cybercrimes investigations, information technology forensics, and oversight of the task force’s cybercrimes operations, investigations, and intelligence gathering; eight total investigators, two to be placed in each quadrant, who shall be certified law enforcement officers having specialized training in human trafficking; four victim advocates, one to be placed in each quadrant having specialized training for human trafficking victims; and four emergency dispatchers having specialized training in human trafficking to staff the office and call center. The task force shall have the following duties and authority: serve as the primary point of contact for reporting, investigating, and any other activities associated with human trafficking in this state; consult with, oversee, and work jointly with other governmental agencies and nongovernmental or community organizations that have expertise in the areas of human trafficking prevention, victim protection and assistance, law enforcement, and prosecution for the purpose of combatting human trafficking in this state; develop, implement, and maintain a strategy to collect and maintain criminal history data and investigative intelligence on incidents related to human trafficking; develop a policy and standard operating procedure for sharing victim and offender data among governmental agencies that prioritize the safety and security of human trafficking victims; apply, or assist other governmental agencies to apply, for grants to support human trafficking enforcement, prosecutions, trainings, and victim services; research and recommend training and education to assist governmental agencies to identify and respond appropriately to human trafficking victims; take other steps necessary to advance the purposes of the office; annually submit a written report to the general assembly regarding the office’s activities related to combatting human trafficking and occurrences of human trafficking within the state; investigate human trafficking reports and make arrests when appropriate; oversee statewide training for human trafficking; possess the authority and ability to call on any law enforcement agency within the state to assist or support any investigation, call, or report as the investigator deems necessary including for the arrest, pursuit, and transporting of persons; and use the state auditor’s staff that performs auditing and investigations to utilize their expertise when attempting to determine other facts and details. DIVISION II. The bill directs the attorney general to add a new division to the office of attorney general that shall be known as the Iowa human trafficking task force special prosecution team. The division shall have the power to prosecute crimes and actions in the courts on behalf of the task force. The attorney general will have the full vested authority of oversight and direction of the assistant attorneys general to include providing funding for support and professional staff to support the division’s functions. The bill directs the auditor to appoint four assistant attorneys general for the sole purpose of prosecuting crimes that are related to human trafficking and the subject of investigation and arrest of the task force. One assistant attorney general must represent each quadrant of the state.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Subcommittee: Schultz, Blake, and Bousselot. S.J. 457. (on 03/03/2026)

Official Document