Sacramento, California — California’s human trafficking law framework is expanding to include stronger prevention and reporting requirements at colleges and universities. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1845, which requires covered institutions to improve employee training and campus procedures to recognize and respond to potential trafficking.
California Colleges Face New Human Trafficking Training Requirements
California colleges face new training and reporting requirements on trafficking after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1845 on September 30, 2026. The measure requires covered postsecondary institutions to strengthen employee education, campus policies, and coordination with law enforcement concerning suspected human trafficking.
By July 1, 2027, colleges must incorporate training on sex and labor trafficking, warning signs, risk factors, and reporting protocols, with employees completing the training annually. Campuses must also clarify which law enforcement agency handles trafficking investigations and update procedures for forwarding reports.
The law is designed to improve recognition and response when students may be experiencing exploitation while preserving victim-identifying information in reports unless the victim consents to disclosure.
How California Human Trafficking Law Protects Survivors
AB 1845 adds campus-specific safeguards, but it does not replace California’s broader human trafficking law. Penal Code Section 236.1 criminalizes trafficking involving forced labor or specified forms of sexual exploitation, while Civil Code Section 52.5 allows survivors to pursue certain civil remedies.
- Survivors may seek actual and compensatory damages, injunctive relief, and, in qualifying cases, punitive damages.
- A prevailing plaintiff may also recover attorney’s fees and costs.
- California law provides extended filing periods for trafficking claims, with additional tolling protections in certain circumstances.
- For minors, consent is not a defense to prosecution for commercial sex trafficking under Penal Code Section 236.1.
These protections can apply independently of a college’s internal investigation or disciplinary process.
Talk With Women’s Rights Group About Your Legal Options
Survivors and families do not have to navigate questions about reporting, evidence, or civil options alone. Women’s Rights Group can review the circumstances, explain how California human trafficking law may apply, and discuss available legal options in a confidential setting.
A human trafficking lawyer can also help assess potential claims and preserve important records. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation to learn what options may be available based on the facts of your case.
