This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 145.4718, to require the director of child sex trafficking prevention to submit a program evaluation to the legislature every odd-numbered year. The previous requirement for the first evaluation to be completed by June 30, 2015, and for subsequent evaluations to occur every two years has been removed. Instead, the director is now mandated to provide an updated evaluation that assesses whether the program is effectively reaching intended victims and whether support services for sexually exploited youth are available, accessible, and adequate.

Additionally, the evaluation will focus on various outcomes, such as the program's effectiveness in identifying sexually exploited youth, coordinating investigations, and improving access to services and housing. The bill also emphasizes the need to examine how penalties under section 609.3241 are managed to ensure proper funding for investigation, prosecution, and victim services aimed at combating sexual exploitation of youth.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 145.4718