I, Mike Dunleavy, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority of Article III, Sections 1 and 24, of the Alaska Constitution, hereby revoke Administrative Order 328 establishing the Governor’s Council on Human and Sex Trafficking within The Department of Public Safety, and issue this Administrative Order No. 351, reinstating the Council with a revised membership and updated duties and responsibilities.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Labor and sex traffickers utilize coercion, force, and fraud to force victims into servitude and commercial prostitution. Traffickers lure their victims with promises of honest work opportunities, safe housing, and the opportunity of a better life, then exploit these individuals in numerous ways, including street prostitution, illicit massage parlors, brothels, and online advertising, in order to enhance the traffickers’ economic positions. Indeed, labor and sex trafficking generate an estimated $150 billion in illegal revenues each year. There is no typical victim and there is no typical trafficker. Trafficking victims can be of any race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Likewise, traffickers can be gang members, diplomats, business owners, labor brokers, farmers, or fishermen. Alaska is not immune to labor and sex trafficking and in fact studies show that Alaska Native youth are more likely to be disproportionately affected by trafficking.
The Governor’s Council on Human and Sex Trafficking is created to combat the exploitation of Alaskans.
MEMBERSHIP
The Governor’s Council on Human and Sex Trafficking will consist of 15 voting members and two ex-officio members as detailed below. All voting members are appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor. The Governor shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from the voting members.
The 15 voting members shall be comprised of the following:
State Members
- One representative from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.
- The Commissioner of the Department of Health or designee.
- The Alaska Attorney General or designee.
- The Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety or designee.
- The Commissioner of the Department of Corrections or designee.
- The Commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development or designee.
- The Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development or designee.
- The Commissioner of the Department of Family and Community’s Services or designee.
Public Members
- Two Mayors or local-government-elected officials.
- One representative from a victim advocacy organization.
- One representative from an Alaska Native stakeholder organization.
- One representative from a local law enforcement agency.
- One representative of a faith-based community organization.
- One representative of a homelessness direct-service provider.
Ex-Officio Members:
- The Governor requests two ex-officio members, one who is a member of the Alaska State Senate appointed by the Senate President, and one who is a member of the Alaska House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties and responsibilities of the Council shall include:
- Initiating a proposal to the governor for statutory implementation of the Council.
- Coordinating with the Department of Education and Early Development’s trafficking curriculum review committee to provide a rubric for school districts in providing age-appropriate curricula for school-based youth.
- Assisting the Department of Education and Early Development’s e-learning module for educators, to increase the understanding among educators about issues, indicators, and resources relating to trafficking of youth.
- Producing discipline-specific training for medical providers, mental health/behavioral health providers, social workers, law enforcement, and other appropriate disciplines.
- Designing, developing, and implementing public messaging on trafficking directed to victims, survivors, and the general public, aimed at increasing awareness and reducing demand.
- Developing an electronic rural resource guide or tool kit for victims/survivors and communities.
- Evaluating expansion of the Survivors Assistance for Escaping Trafficking (SAFE-T) grant program.
- Assessing avenues to expand individual access and organizational billing for essential healthcare and mental health supports.
- Ongoing evaluation of the efficacy of demand reduction programs.
- Producing annual public reports on the activities and recommendations of the Council, disseminated February 1 of each year.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Administrative support for the Council is assigned to the Department of Public Safety. Consistent with applicable law and subject to legislative appropriations, the Department of Public Safety shall provide administrative support for the Council using existing personnel and monetary resources.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Council members receive no compensation or other remuneration from the State as members of the Council. Members of the Council who are not state or federal employees are entitled to per diem and travel expenses in the same manner permitted for members of state boards and commissions. Per diem and travel expenses for members of the Council who are a representative of a state or federal agency are the responsibility of that agency.
The Council may create advisory-only subcommittees.
The Council will meet quarterly, at a minimum. Additional meetings may be called by the Chair. The Council and its subcommittees will use teleconferencing and other electronic means, to the extent practicable, in order to gain maximum public participation at minimum cost.
At times and locations to be determined by the Chair, the Council may convene public meetings to present information and receive comments.
A majority of the members of the Council constitutes a quorum for conducting business.
Meetings of the Council, or any subcommittees thereof shall be conducted, and notice of meetings provided, in accordance with AS 44.62.310 and 44.62.319 (Open Meetings Act).
Records of the Council, and all subcommittees, are subject to inspection, copying, and distribution as public records under AS 40.25.110 – 40.25.220.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Order takes effect immediately.
DATED this 9th day of October 2023.
