BILL NUMBER: S45
SPONSOR: WALCZYK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
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 traffick-
ing, 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:
A8464-A/S6864 (2019): Referred to Higher Education
A4411/S1865 (2021): Referred to Higher Education
A5144/S4282 (2023): Referred to Higher Education
 
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.

Statutes affected:
S45: 305 education law, 206 public health law, 6905 education law, 6906 education law, 6910 education law, 6910(1) education law, 6911 education law, 6911(1) education law