Relating to a required course of instruction regarding human trafficking prevention for persons applying for the initial issuance of certain commercial driver’s licenses, and including applicability provisions

This bill relates to human trafficking prevention training for persons who apply for a class A, B, or C commercial driver’s license (CDL). The bill requires an applicant for the initial issuance of such a CDL to certify to the department of transportation (DOT) that the applicant successfully completed a course of instruction regarding the operation of a motor vehicle that included approved human trafficking prevention training. The bill requires a person who offers a course of instruction regarding the operation of a commercial motor vehicle to provide at least 30 minutes of approved human trafficking prevention training in English as part of the course. Under the bill, the DOT must approve, in cooperation with the department of education and the state board of education, human trafficking prevention training materials regarding the recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking, and make the approved materials available to the public. The departments may collaborate with other entities that specialize in and produce training materials regarding the recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking particularly for persons who operate commercial motor vehicles. The departments are required to review and update the approved human trafficking prevention training materials to account for changes and trends in human trafficking at least once every three years. The bill applies on and after March 1, 2027, or the publication date of the issue of the Iowa administrative bulletin that includes a statement by the director of transportation that the applicable phase of the DOT’s new records system is implemented, whichever is earlier. The DOT is also required to forward a copy of the statement to the Iowa Code editor.