Ohio bill would require students to be screened for risk of human trafficking

TOLEDO, Ohio — Ohio lawmakers are considering a bill that would require public school students to undergo screenings aimed at identifying children at risk of human trafficking, starting as early as fifth grade.

State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) introduced the proposal, House Bill 431, which calls for schools to implement a questionnaire designed with help from the University of Toledo. The tool asks students about their lives inside and outside the classroom, with the goal of flagging potential grooming or exploitation.

“It’s unfortunate that we continuously rank in the top five in the nation for juvenile sex trafficking recruitment,” Williams said. He added that Ohio often ranks among the top states nationally for trafficking cases.

Sample questions would ask whether adults outside of parents, doctors or educators have initiated conversations about sexual activity, Williams said.

The screenings have already been tested in juvenile detention centers, but the bill would expand them statewide.

Dr. Christie Jenkins, CEO of the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center in Toledo, supports the measure.

“This will be good because oftentimes folks don’t know who is being trafficked, and so I think a lot of times we think it’s those people or it happens in those neighborhoods or those zip codes, and it happens everywhere,” Jenkins said.

She added the bill would give students a voice who may not even realize they’re being groomed or trafficked by family for money, drugs or a place to stay.

“They don’t know that there’s something wrong with that,” said Dr. Jenkins. “They think they might feel that they’re helping out their family, or this is what they need to do to help, and so it’s really important for us to be aware of those kids who are having to do this in their family unit.”

The legislation also includes $5 million from the state’s general fund for school training and an online reporting portal. The measure has been introduced in the House but has not yet received a vote.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking or in need of resources, Jenkins said to reach out to the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center.