Human trafficking: victim's advocate.

Existing law proscribes the crime of human trafficking. Existing law establishes procedures governing the admissibility of evidence in civil and criminal actions in this state and recognizes various evidentiary privileges, including a victim‑caseworker privilege, under which a human trafficking victim may refuse to disclose, or may prevent another from disclosing, a confidential communication made to a human trafficking caseworker, as defined. Existing law also establishes the right of a victim of domestic violence or abuse, as defined, to have a domestic violence advocate and a support person of the victim's choosing present at any interview by law enforcement authorities, prosecutors, or defense attorneys, except as specified. Existing law requires a domestic violence advocate to advise the victim of any applicable limitations on the confidentiality of communications between the victim and the domestic violence advocate. Existing law requires the attending law enforcement authority or prosecutor to notify or advise the victim of certain rights, as specified. This bill would establish the right of a victim of human trafficking, as defined, to have a human trafficking advocate and a support person of the victim's choosing present at any interview by law enforcement authorities, prosecutors, or defense attorneys, and require the attending law enforcement authority or prosecutor to notify or advise, as specified, a victim of human trafficking in a manner similar to the notification or advice provided to victims of domestic violence. The bill would also require a human trafficking advocate to advise the victim of any applicable limitations on the confidentiality of communications between the victim and the human trafficking advocate prior to being present at any interview conducted by law enforcement authorities, prosecutors, or defense attorneys. By imposing a higher level of service on local officers, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.