HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Sens. Chris Gebhard (R-48) and Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) to better identify delinquent children as victims of human trafficking has been approved by the Senate Aging and Youth Committee.
Senate Bill 1369 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, and county children and youth agencies, to develop a screening process to determine if a delinquent child is a victim of human trafficking or may be at risk of becoming a victim of human trafficking. The screening process would be administered by county children and youth agencies when they have contact with a child who is lacking parental control, as well as by juvenile probation officers during intake conferences if a written allegation is made.
“Far too often, vulnerable children go unnoticed or unsupported, and this legislation aims to close those gaps in a meaningful and coordinated way,” said Gebhard, who introduced the bill. “Even if this helps identify just one child who otherwise would have gone unnoticed, this legislation will have been worth it.”
“Establishing a standardized screening process will help authorities across the commonwealth identify children in need,” said Langerholc, who co-sponsored the bill and chairs the Senate Aging and Youth Committee. “This collaborative approach is a crucial effort to protect every child from human trafficking and ensure victims receive support and care.”
The legislation would also require children identified through the screening process to be connected with services available to victims of human trafficking.
The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
LANGERHOLC CONTACT: Gwenn Dando
GEBHARD CONTACT: Alex Gamble