HB 359: MENTAL HEALTH: Provides relative to victims of human trafficking - Louisiana

HB359 Original → HB359 Act 267 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill expanded the list of sponsors and updated the official title to reflect a focus on human trafficking rather than just sex trafficking. It added a new state task force to create a uniform protocol for identifying and treating trafficking victims in emergency departments, while also clarifying existing laws regarding emergency admission for trafficking victims.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a general focus on sex trafficking to a broader focus on human trafficking, and it introduced a new administrative body (the Task Force) to standardize care protocols.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new 'Human Trafficking in Emergency Departments Task Force' responsible for drafting a uniform protocol for identifying trafficking signs and appropriate medical responses.

Required the Task Force to include specific members, such as representatives from the House and Senate Health Committees, the Department of Health, and nursing associations.

Mandated that district annual response plans must incorporate the new uniform protocol for human trafficking established by the Task Force.

TIMELINE

Set a termination date of January 1, 2027, for the new Task Force and its associated board.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that victims of human trafficking may be admitted to treatment facilities under emergency certificates if they suffer from mental illness or conditions resulting from their experiences.

SCOPE

Updated the bill's title and legislative references to change the focus from 'sex trafficking' to 'human trafficking' across multiple statutes.

HB359 Enrolled → HB359 Original · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift its focus from creating a new Human Trafficking Task Force to clarifying how victims of sex trafficking can be admitted to mental health facilities. The new version removes the requirement to establish a task force and instead amends existing emergency certificate laws to explicitly recognize that sex trafficking victims may suffer from mental illness or substance disorders requiring immediate treatment.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from establishing a new administrative task force and protocol to modifying existing emergency admission procedures for mental health treatment.

REQUIREMENT

Deleted the creation of the Human Trafficking in Emergency Departments Task Force and its requirement to develop a uniform protocol.

Removed the list of specific committee members and officials who must serve on the task force board.

TIMELINE

Deleted the provision that would have terminated the task force on January 1, 2027.

ELIGIBILITY

Amended mental health admission laws to explicitly include victims of sex trafficking as eligible for emergency certificates due to mental illness or substance disorders resulting from their experiences.

DEFINITION

Clarified that mental illness or conditions in trafficking victims stem from their experiences as victims, ensuring they are treated with the same urgency as other mental health patients.

HB359 Reengrossed → HB359 Enrolled · 6 edits · Jun 11, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, changing the status from a draft to the official law. The most significant substantive change is the renaming of the oversight body from an 'Advisory Board' to a 'Task Force' and the removal of the requirement for the House Committee chair to serve as its chair, replacing it with a Senate Committee chair. Additionally, the law now includes a specific end date for the task force's authority, which will expire on January 1, 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on human trafficking protocols in emergency departments, but the governance structure was adjusted to include the Senate Committee chair and remove the House Committee chair, while adding a sunset provision for the task force.

REQUIREMENT

The oversight body was renamed from 'Human Trafficking in Emergency Departments Advisory Board' to 'Human Trafficking in Emergency Departments Task Force'.

The requirement for the chair of the House Committee on Health and Welfare to serve as the board chair was removed.

The president of the Louisiana State Coroner's Association was added as a required member of the task force.

The chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare was added as a required member of the task force.

The executive director of the office of human trafficking prevention was specified instead of just the director.

TIMELINE

A sunset provision was added, terminating the task force's authority on January 1, 2027.

HB359 Engrossed → HB359 Reengrossed · 4 edits · Jun 8, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to expand the number of sponsoring representatives and shift the policy focus from a simple physician reporting requirement to the creation of a formal 'Human Trafficking in Emergency Departments Task Force.' This task force is now responsible for developing a uniform sexual assault protocol and assessing hospital knowledge, replacing the previous mandate that required individual physicians to immediately contact a nurse examiner.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a direct operational mandate for individual physicians to a broader administrative framework involving a new task force and updated regional protocols.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new 'Human Trafficking in Emergency Departments Task Force' to develop uniform protocols and assess hospital readiness.

Changed the primary requirement from individual physicians contacting a nurse examiner to hospitals incorporating human trafficking protocols into their regional sexual assault plans.

SCOPE

Expanded the list of bill sponsors from one representative to twenty-three representatives.

ENFORCEMENT

Replaced the specific instruction for physicians to contact a sexual assault nurse examiner with a directive for the task force to develop the necessary protocols.

MENTAL HEALTH: Provides relative to victims of human trafficking

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