South Carolina healthcare professionals will be required to complete human trafficking awareness and prevention training under a new state law designed to improve identification and support for potential victims.
The Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force joined Gov. Henry McMaster and the South Carolina State Human Trafficking Task Force at the State House last week for a ceremonial signing of the legislation.
The legislation received unanimous approval from the General Assembly, passing the House 113-0 and the Senate 42-0.
The training will cover how to identify suspected human trafficking victims, the legal requirements for reporting suspected trafficking and ways to provide support to potential victims.
Healthcare professionals licensed before Jan. 1, 2026, must complete the training by Jan. 1, 2028, and repeat it every six years. Those licensed on or after Jan. 1, 2026, must complete the training within two years of their initial certification and every six years thereafter.
The South Carolina Board of Nursing and the State Board of Medical Examiners will establish rules to implement and enforce the requirements. The boards will work with the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force and its Healthcare Subcommittee.
State lawmakers and anti-trafficking advocates hope the requirement will equip healthcare providers with the knowledge needed to recognize warning signs, report suspected cases appropriately and connect potential victims with assistance.
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