MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Representative Ford (54th)
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ANNUALLY PROVIDE IN-SERVICE TRAINING ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION TO TEACHERS AND ASSISTANT TEACHERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the State Department of Education shall require each local school district to annually provide in-service training on human trafficking and exploitation as part of the district's professional development for teachers and assistant teachers in order to raise awareness of the impact human trafficking and exploitation has on students and schools. The department, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall develop or approve the selection of the content and materials of the training and shall provide the training materials to school districts. The training must include, at a minimum, education in trafficking indicators, risk factors that make students susceptible to exploitation, and recommendations on how to respond to trafficking and exploitation cases.
The training required under this section must be accomplished without increasing the existing number of days dedicated to in-service teacher and assistant teacher training in a school district.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.