1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section, “local university” means a public or private institution of higher education in the State with a public health, law, or social work program.
   2. (2) “Local university” includes a program within an institution of higher education described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, such as the University of Maryland SAFE Center for Human Trafficking Survivors.

2. (b) Each health occupations board shall:

   1. (1) Allow an applicant seeking license or certificate renewal to receive continuing education credits for completing a human trafficking awareness training program described in subsection (c) of this section;
   2. (2) Conduct outreach to make individuals regulated by the board aware of human trafficking awareness training options, including by providing information in general board communications and on the board's website; and
   3. (3) Adopt regulations to carry out this section.

3. (c) A training program for which an applicant may receive continuing education credits under this section shall:

   1. (1) Be approved by the Department in collaboration with a local university and in consultation with the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force and organizations that provide direct services to human trafficking survivors;
   2. (2) Be at least 1 hour in duration;
   3. (3) Be readily accessible and provided to an individual described under subsection (b) of this section free of charge; and

   4. (4) Include instruction on:

      1. (i) The definitions and forms of sex and labor trafficking under federal and State law;
      2. (ii) An understanding of the trauma-informed care model;
      3. (iii) The physical, behavioral, and emotional indicators of human trafficking, particularly those presenting in a health care setting;
      4. (iv) Appropriate screening protocols and documentation methods;
      5. (v) Mandatory reporting requirements under State law and established protocols for reporting suspected cases of human trafficking to the appropriate authorities, including the National Human Trafficking Hotline; and
      6. (vi) Available federal, State, and local resources and services for survivors of human trafficking.

Added by Acts 2026, c. 205, § 1, eff. June 1, 2026.