Pennsylvania HB 2368: An Act providing for standardized human trafficking screening and intervention protocols in health care facilities; imposing duties on the Department of Health; and providing for training and enforcement.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3155
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2368
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY BURGOS, McNEILL, WEBSTER, HILL-EVANS, OWLETT,
HOHENSTEIN, KINKEAD, SANCHEZ AND STEELE, APRIL 8, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, APRIL 9, 2026
AN ACT
Providing for standardized human trafficking screening and
intervention protocols in health care facilities; imposing
duties on the Department of Health; and providing for
training and enforcement.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Health Care
Human Trafficking Screening and Intervention Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
"Health care facility." An emergency department of a
licensed hospital, an urgent care center or a community health
care center.
"Human trafficking." As defined under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3001
(relating to definitions).
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"Protocols." The standardized protocol established under
section 3.
"Trauma-informed care." A health care framework that
involves understanding, recognizing and responding to the
effects of all types of trauma.
Section 3. Standardized protocols.
(a) Establishment.--Within 180 days of the effective date of
this subsection, the department shall develop and publish
standardized human trafficking screening and intervention
protocols for use by health care facilities.
(b) Contents.--The protocols shall include:
(1) Use of evidence-based, trauma-informed care
screening questions.
(2) Requirements for health care providers to interview
patients alone in a secure environment if human trafficking
is suspected.
(3) A standardized procedure to refer patients to
community-based victim service providers and legal resources.
(4) Immediate steps for patient safety if the patient
chooses not to involve law enforcement.
Section 4. Training requirements.
(a) Mandatory training.--A health care facility shall ensure
that all clinical and patient-facing staff complete an initial
training program on the protocols within 90 days of hire.
(b) Continuing education.--Staff under subsection (a) shall
complete a continuing education course on the protocols every
two years.
(c) Development.--The department shall develop the training
and continuing education programs required under this section.
Section 5. Enforcement and reporting.
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(a) Compliance.--The department shall verify compliance with
this act during routine inspections of health care facilities.
(b) Data collection.--
(1) A health care facility shall annually report de-
identified data to the department on the number of screenings
performed and number of referrals made relating to human
trafficking.
(2) The department shall annually submit a report to the
General Assembly containing the data received under paragraph
(1).
Section 6. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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