Section 210.1505

There are multiple enactments of 210.1505

Title XII PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Chapter 210

Effective - 28 Aug 2026, 2 histories, see footnote   

  210.1505.  Statewide council against adult trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children created — members — executive director — fund created, use of moneys — committee established, members, duties — expiration date. — 1.  There is hereby created the "Statewide Council Against Adult Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children" within the office of the attorney general to make recommendations for a coordinated statewide effort against the trafficking of adults and children within the state of Missouri.  The council shall consist of the following members:

  (1)  The following four members of the general assembly:

  (a)  Two members of the senate, with one member to be appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate and one member to be appointed by the minority floor leader of the senate; and

  (b)  Two members of the house of representatives, with one member to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one member to be appointed by the minority floor leader of the house of representatives;

  (2)  The director of the children's division or his or her designee who is involved in anti-human trafficking efforts or has knowledge or experience in human trafficking investigations;

  (3)  The director of the department of public safety or his or her designee who is involved in anti-human trafficking efforts or has knowledge or experience in human trafficking investigations;

  (4)  The director of the department of mental health or his or her designee who is involved in anti-human trafficking efforts or has knowledge or experience in human trafficking investigations;

  (5)  The director of the office of prosecution services or his or her designee who is involved in anti-human trafficking efforts or has knowledge or experience in human trafficking investigations;

  (6)  The superintendent of the Missouri state highway patrol or his or her designee who is involved in anti-human trafficking efforts or has knowledge or experience in human trafficking investigations;

  (7)  The executive director of the statewide network of child advocacy organizations or his or her designee who is involved in anti-human trafficking efforts or has knowledge or experience in human trafficking investigations;

  (8)  The executive director of the statewide coalition against domestic and sexual violence or his or her designee who is involved in anti-human trafficking efforts or has knowledge or experience in human trafficking investigations;

  (9)  The executive director of the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association or his or her designee who is involved in anti-human trafficking efforts or has knowledge or experience in human trafficking investigations;

  (10)  The director of the attorney general's human trafficking task force or his or her designee who is involved in anti-human trafficking efforts or has knowledge or experience in human trafficking investigations;

  (11)  A member of the Missouri Hospital Association with experience and knowledge of human trafficking;

  (12)  A member of the judiciary with experience in juvenile court, who shall be appointed by the chief justice of the Missouri supreme court;

  (13)  The commissioner of the department of elementary and secondary education or his or her designee;

  (14)  A designee from the governor's office;

  (15)  A member of the Missouri Sheriffs' Association or a member of the Missouri Police Chiefs Association; and

  (16)  A representative of any other nongovernmental organization deemed necessary by the attorney general.

  2.  A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum.  The council shall be created within thirty days of August 28, 2026, and shall hold its first meeting within thirty days after the council's creation.  The council shall meet at least quarterly.  The council may create a subgroup to offer recommendations on specific issues as deemed necessary.

  3.  There shall be an executive director, who shall be appointed by the attorney general.  The attorney general shall fix the executive director's compensation and provide for such other administrative personnel as necessary within the limits of appropriations provided in subsection 4 of this section.  The executive director shall serve under the supervision of the attorney general, who shall provide administrative support and necessary office space.

  4.  (1)  There is hereby created in the state treasury the "Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Education and Awareness Fund", which shall consist of moneys appropriated to it by the general assembly and any grants, gifts, donations, and bequests.  The state treasurer shall be custodian of the fund.  In accordance with sections 30.170 and 30.180, the state treasurer shall approve disbursements as required by the attorney general.  The fund shall be a dedicated fund and, upon appropriation, moneys in this fund shall be used to pay for the position of the executive director and for administrative support of the statewide council against adult trafficking and the commercial exploitation of children, education and awareness regarding human trafficking, and anti-trafficking efforts throughout the state of Missouri.

  (2)  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080 to the contrary, any moneys remaining in the fund at the end of the biennium shall not revert to the credit of the general revenue fund.

  (3)  The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the fund in the same manner as other funds are invested.  Any interest and moneys earned on such investments shall be credited to the fund.

  ^*5.  There is hereby established the "Committee on Sex and Human Trafficking Training" within the council.

  ^*6.  The committee shall consist of the following members:

  (1)  A representative of the attorney general's office who is involved in the office's anti-trafficking efforts appointed by the attorney general;

  (2)  A representative of the department of public safety with experience in human trafficking investigations appointed by the director of the department of public safety;

  (3)  A representative from a child advocacy center appointed by the director of a statewide nonprofit organization that advocates for the protection of children;

  (4)  A juvenile officer appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court of Missouri;

  (5)  A representative from an agency providing victim services appointed by the director of the department of social services;

  (6)  A representative from a child abuse medical resource center, as defined in section 334.950, appointed by the director of the department of health and senior services;

  (7)  The executive director of the Missouri office of prosecution services or his or her designee; and

  (8)  A representative from a statewide organization of nurses or emergency nurses.

  ^*7.  The member who represents the attorney general's office shall serve as chair of the committee.

  ^*8.  Members of the committee shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual expenses necessary to the performance of their official duties for the committee.

  ^*9.  The committee shall annually evaluate, and establish guidelines for, the sex and human trafficking training required under sections 56.265, 190.142, 211.326, 337.618, and 590.050.  The committee shall produce, and distribute in a digital platform, training that meets its guidelines.  The committee may approve training produced by other entities as consistent with its guidelines.

  ^*10.  Any board, department, or agency that regulates any profession for which sex and human trafficking training is required as described in subsection 9 of this section may provide such training.  Funding for the training shall be subject to appropriations.

  11.  The provisions of subsections 5 to 10 of this section shall become effective on January 1, 2027, and shall expire on December 31, 2031.

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(L. 2022 S.B. 775, et al., A.L. 2026 H.B. 2273, et al.)

*Subsections 5 to 10 effective 1-01-27 and expire 12-31-31; see subsection ll.