The bill introduced by Representative Williams seeks to improve the identification of human trafficking risks among students in Ohio public schools by mandating annual screenings using the University of Toledo's FOCUS youth screening tool, starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It amends sections 3314.03, 3326.11, and 3328.24 of the Revised Code and enacts a new section, 3313.675, which requires the results of these screenings to be reported to the University of Toledo. The University will also provide training for school districts on the tool's implementation and create an online portal to track and publicly share the data while ensuring student anonymity and confidentiality.

In addition to the human trafficking screening provisions, the bill outlines requirements for community school contracts, emphasizing detailed descriptions of educational programs, performance standards, and compliance with regulations. It establishes that payments for monitoring and oversight by sponsors cannot exceed three percent of total operating expenses from the state and delineates the responsibilities of sponsors in ensuring compliance and performance evaluation. The bill also amends existing sections to include compliance requirements for STEM and college-preparatory boarding schools, ensuring they adhere to the same legal obligations as school districts, while repealing certain outdated sections to streamline the legal framework governing these educational institutions.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3314.03, 3326.11, 3328.24