The South Dakota Legislature is looking to take on human trafficking by advancing four separate bills, one of which will soon seek the signature of Gov. Kristi Noem.
Of the four bills, one would disqualify those convicted of a felony human trafficking charge from operating a commercial vehicle within the state, while others would expand protections of trafficking victims, establish protections for child survivors and require police officers be trained to prevent trafficking.
Senate Bill 28 has made the most progress. That bill — which would bar individuals convicted of a felony under South Dakota’s codified laws surrounding trafficking or under United States Code from driving commercial vehicles — has passed two committees and both chambers of the state’s bicameral legislature without a single vote in opposition.
Under federal regulations, all states must have the ability to bar individuals convicted of a trafficking felony by Sep. 23, 2022, according to Jane Schrank, director of the driver licensing program for the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Read the full story at the Mitchell Republic.