I am introducing legislation to establish the Healthcare Human Trafficking Screening and Intervention Act. This bill will move Pennsylvania from a fragmented, facility-by-facility approach to a unified, life-saving clinical standard.

In my district and across this Commonwealth, we are fighting a battle against an enemy that hides in plain sight: human trafficking. While we have strengthened our criminal statutes, there remains a glaring gap in our frontline defense—our healthcare system.

Studies show that nearly 90% of human trafficking survivors have contact with a healthcare professional while they are being exploited. They are in our Emergency Rooms, our Urgent Care centers, and our community clinics. Yet, because we lack a standardized, statewide protocol for identification and intervention, these victims are often treated for their physical symptoms and sent right back into the hands of their traffickers.

This is a missed opportunity we can no longer afford.

My legislation requires the Department of Health to implement:

• Standardized, Evidence-Based Screening.
• The "Private Window" Mandate: Requiring facilities to provide a safe, private environment for patients to be interviewed away from a controlling "companion" or "translator."
• Trauma-Informed Training.
• The "Warm Handoff": Establishing direct pathways to victim service providers, ensuring that identification leads immediately to support, housing, and legal advocacy.

Human trafficking is not just a law enforcement issue; it is a public health crisis. By empowering our medical professionals with a clear, mandatory protocol, we can turn every ER and clinic into a potential exit ramp for survivors.

I respectfully ask for your support in co-sponsoring this vital legislation. If you have any questions, please contact my office.