What's happening
This bill requires applicants for certain nursing licenses and certifications to complete training in the prevention of human trafficking.
Why it matters
Directly addresses a critical gap in frontline healthcare training. by mandating that nurses and nurse practitioners—who are often among the first to encounter trafficking victims—learn how to recognize and respond to human trafficking, potentially increasing early intervention and support for victims.
Requires state agencies to collaborate with anti-trafficking experts. and relevant organizations in developing the curriculum, which may ensure that the training reflects up-to-date, evidence-based practices and the real-world complexity of trafficking situations.
Allocates funding from forfeiture proceeds specifically for nurse training on human trafficking. , which could help guarantee that the program is robustly implemented and does not strain existing healthcare education resources.
Establishes a statewide standard for trafficking prevention training in nursing licensure. , likely leading to more consistent and widespread awareness among healthcare workers, which could strengthen New York's overall response to human trafficking.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Train Nurses To Spot Trafficking
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Nurses Must Learn Trafficking Prevention
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Mark Walczyk
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6864
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
November 22, 2019
Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the education law, the public health law and the civil practice law and rules, in relation to requiring applicants for certain nursing licenses and certifications to complete training in the prevention of human trafficking
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 59 to read as follows:
59. The commissioner shall consult and collaborate with the commissioner of health and appropriate organizations that have expertise in the prevention of human trafficking, as well as other interested parties, to establish and develop training within the department related to noticing signs and evidence of, and the prevention of, human trafficking. Such training shall be defined by the commissioner in regulations after consultation with the department of health and be designed to educate those seeking the license or certification of registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse specialist. The training shall be defined and ready for usage by license or certification applicants no later than three years after the effective date of this subdivision.
§ 2. Section 206 of the public health law is amended by adding a new subdivision 31 to read as follows:
31. The commissioner shall assist the commissioner of education and consult and collaborate with appropriate organizations that have expertise in the prevention of human trafficking, as well as other interested parties, to establish and develop training within the department of education related to noticing signs and evidence of, and the prevention of, human trafficking for the purposes of educating those seeking license or certification as a registered professional nurse, licensed
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11035-03-9
S. 6864 2
practical nurse, certified nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse specialist.
§ 3. Section 6905 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
(2-a) Noticing the signs of and preventing human trafficking: have completed training in the prevention of human trafficking as designed and approved by the department;
§ 4. Section 6906 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
(2-a) Noticing the signs of and preventing human trafficking: have completed training in the prevention of human trafficking as designed and approved by the department;
§ 5. Subdivision 1 of section 6910 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph (c-1) to read as follows:
(c-1) Noticing the signs of and preventing human trafficking: have completed training in the prevention of human trafficking as designed and approved by the department;
§ 6. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 1 of section 6911 of the education law, as added by chapter 364 of the laws of 2013, is amended and a new paragraph (c-1) is added to read as follows:
(c) (i) have satisfactorily completed an educational program registered by the department including a master's or doctoral degree, or a post-master's certificate from a program acceptable to the department which prepares graduates to practice as CNSs and which is accredited by a national nursing accredited body acceptable to the department, and (ii) meets all other requirements established by the department to practice as a clinical nurse specialist, or (iii) have received educational preparation determined by the department to be the substantial equivalent of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph; [and]
(c-1) noticing the signs of and preventing human trafficking: have completed training in the prevention of human trafficking as designed and approved by the department; and
§ 7. Paragraph (f) of subdivision 2 of section 1349 of the civil practice law and rules, as added by chapter 655 of the laws of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
(f) In addition to amounts, if any, distributed pursuant to paragraph (d) of this subdivision, five percent of all moneys realized through forfeiture to the claiming agent in satisfaction of actual costs incurred for protecting, maintaining and forfeiting the property including that proportion of the salaries of attorneys, clerical and investigative personnel devoted thereto and with respect to all moneys realized through forfeiture which are remaining pursuant to this section to provide for the reimbursement of amounts actually expended for the development of a training program for nurses relating to human trafficking contained in sections sixty-nine hundred five, sixty-nine hundred six, sixty-nine hundred ten, and sixty-nine hundred eleven of the education law;
§ 8. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that sections three, four, five, and six of this act shall take effect three years after this act shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
An act to amend the education law, the public health law and the civil practice law and rules, in relation to requiring applicants for certain nursing licenses and certifications to complete training in the prevention of human trafficking
Purpose or general idea of bill
To train applicants for nursing licenses on the issue of human traffick- ing prevention.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 305 of the education law.
Section 2 amends section 206 of the public health law.
Section 3 amends section 6905 of the education law.
Section 4 amends section 6906 of the education law.
Section 5 amends subdivision 1 of section 6910 of the education law.
Section 6 amends subdivision 1 of section 6911 of the education law.
Justification
Human trafficking and exploitation are some of the most despicable crimes in modern times. Human trafficking ranks as the third largest international crime industry, behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking, and generates a profit of $32 billion every year. Of that number, $15.5 billion is made in industrialized countries and between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked into the U.S. each year.
Nurses in New York are in the front lines of our Emergency Rooms, clin- ics and urgent care centers and are uniquely positioned to be able to identify human trafficking victims and reach out to the proper authori- ties while the victims are in a safe environment. Individuals who are in captivity are often afraid of their traffickers and are manipulated to avoid reaching out for help while being treated for injuries.
This bill would add a training component for Nursing Students regarding the recognition of the signs of Human Trafficking and the protocol for handling trafficked victims under their care. This commonsense approach will save lives.
Prior legislative history
This is new legislation.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that sections three, four, five, and six of this act shall take effect three years after this act shall become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.