Rep. Vance’s bill would require trauma-informed trafficking screening for youth; committee holds bill for follow-up

Representative Sarah Vance opened the committee’s initial hearing on House Bill 150, saying Alaska needs a statutory, trauma-informed screening tool to identify youth at risk of exploitation and trafficking across foster care, juvenile justice and youth shelters.

Vance cited national and state data, saying some research suggests a high proportion of trafficking victims have histories of foster-care involvement and asserting Alaska’s per-capita human-trafficking reports are substantially higher than the national average. She told members HB150 would require standardized screening, tracking, reporting and follow-up so agencies can connect identified youth to placement, counseling and protective services. The committee record notes the sponsor described the fiscal impact as $0, contending the bill standardizes existing practices.

Michelle Overstreet, CEO of Mind House (My House), testified in support and described high rates of exploitation among the youth her organization serves, saying consistent screening and peer-support connections can lead to earlier intervention. Committee members pressed for specifics: how a screening standard would be defined, who would set clinical guidance, what follow-up would occur after a positive screen, and how DFCS and DPS would share data. Vance said DFCS would develop an Alaska-specific tool, and that screening would trigger mandatory reporting and referrals to law enforcement where appropriate.

Members requested further detail on the screening tool, follow-up protocols and interagency roles; the committee held HB150 for additional information and potential revision.