Josh Williams | The Ohio House of Representatives
Josh Williams | The Ohio House of Representatives
State Representative Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) has introduced House Bill 431, a measure that would require school districts to conduct annual screenings aimed at identifying students who may be at risk of or are currently victims of human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes affecting our youth, and too often, the signs go unnoticed,” said Rep. Williams. “House Bill 431 gives schools a proactive tool to identify and protect vulnerable students before it's too late. This legislation is about safeguarding our children and ensuring no student slips through the cracks.”
The proposed legislation mandates that each student in Ohio school districts undergo screening using the University of Toledo's FOCUS youth screening tool. The results from these screenings would then be reported back to the University of Toledo for further action.
At this time, House Bill 431 is awaiting assignment to a committee for further consideration.
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