Proposed Bill No. 521 aims to enhance protections for children and youth against sex trafficking in Connecticut by amending existing statutes and introducing new measures. Key provisions include updating criminal statutes to address conduct against minors and the actions of buyers, as well as developing policy guidance for responding to foreign national child sex trafficking victims. The bill mandates child welfare and juvenile justice agencies to conduct trauma-informed screenings for at-risk children and provide specialized services for those identified as sex-trafficked. Additionally, it allows victims to obtain orders of protection against their exploiters and enables all victims to testify by alternative methods, regardless of age.

The bill also introduces the requirement for a dedicated caseworker for victims of commercial sexual exploitation, ensuring that communications with the caseworker are privileged and protected from disclosure. Furthermore, it mandates state-wide training for child welfare and juvenile justice agencies to improve identification and response to child sex trafficking. Overall, the proposed legislation seeks to create a more comprehensive framework for addressing and preventing child sex trafficking in Connecticut.