Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Help Victims and Bring Traffickers to Justice

Report #252, October 2020
Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Help Victims and Bring Traffickers to Justice

Full Report

Executive Summary

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2020
 
For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(510) 205-8042
 
 

Little Hoover Commission Urges California to Help Victims and Bring Labor Traffickers to Justice

 

Each year thousands of Californians fall prey to human trafficking, including hundreds who are exploited for the value of their labor, and California must do more to help these survivors and to bring traffickers to justice, says the state’s independent government watchdog.

The Little Hoover Commission today released Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Help Victims and Bring Traffickers to Justice, the agency’s third and final report stemming from a year-long investigation into the state’s response to labor trafficking.

The report provides new data about the extent of the problem, based on an analysis of records from a key state program that provides help to trafficking victims. That analysis shows that:

  • Between 2016 and 2019, more than 14,000 human trafficking survivors received help from the state, including more than 3,000 who were classified as being exploited for their labor. (The remainder were exploited for sex.)

  • More than one-quarter of the survivors helped by the state were under 18.

  • African-Americans were disproportionately impacted, accounting for more than a third of those who received help.

  • Those seeking help for labor trafficking are disproportionately located in the Central Valley.

“Too little has been known about labor trafficking in the past, and we hope that this report provides policymakers with new information about this horrific crime,” said Commission Chair Pedro Nava. “Still better information can lead to a stronger response and more work is needed to understand the prevalence of this crime.”

The report analyzes raw data from only a single state program, Nava noted, and thus it is highly likely that far more people are victimized each year by traffickers. This is especially true for labor trafficking, which is often even harder to detect than trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation.

The data analyzed by Commission staff comes from the Office of Emergency Services’ Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program. The Commission is grateful to OES for providing the raw data, which did not identify individual survivors, but allowed for an analysis of all those helped by the program, Nava said.

“This is a significant first step to understanding more about who the victims of trafficking are and how we can better direct resources to serve and protect them,” said Commissioner Cynthia Buiza, chair of the Commission’s subcommittee for the labor trafficking studies.

While causing serious harm to victims, perpetrators of this crime also steal from the state and undercut legitimate businesses. The report urges a strong state response, recommending that policymakers prioritize victim services for survivors while increasing investigations and prosecutions of traffickers.

In its report, the Commission also focuses on the numerous barriers hindering the enforcement of labor trafficking laws, including costly and time-consuming investigations, difficulty proving non-physical coercion or force, lack of adequate training for law enforcement and court personnel, and more. The report describes steps taken by the federal government, other states, and some California counties to address these barriers and calls upon state officials to take similar actions.  

“It is unacceptable that perpetrators of this despicable crime are too often not held accountable,” Nava said. “Our recommendations will transform California’s ability to bring these evildoers to justice and ensure that survivors receive the care they need.”

All too often, law enforcement lacks the tools, training, and resources to respond to labor trafficking, the Commission found.

Earlier this year the Commission released two reports about trafficking. This is the Commission’s third report studying California’s response to human trafficking. Its first report on the subject, released in June 2020, calls for the creation of a statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Council. Its second report, released in September 2020, implores officials to increase efforts to identify labor trafficking.

Commissioner Dion Aroner, a member of the study’s subcommittee, noted the importance of viewing this report along with the Commission’s two previous reports on labor trafficking. “We are providing state officials with a comprehensive roadmap for lasting change that will enable California to more effectively combat labor trafficking and protect innocent workers.”

About the Little Hoover Commission

The Little Hoover Commission is a bipartisan, independent state oversight agency created in 1962. It includes 13 Commissioners appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. The Commission’s mission is to investigate state operations and promote efficiency, economy and improved service.

Fact Sheet

Study Description

Agenda

Overview

Barriers to care make it difficult for labor trafficking survivors to access the help they need, while cases bringing their traffickers to justice remain rare. These barriers include costly time-consuming investigations; difficulty proving non-physical coercion or force; and a lack of adequate training for law enforcement and court personnel. The Commission also provides new data about the extent of the problem, based on an analysis of records from a key state program that provides help to trafficking victims. We propose California implement the following to better protect victims and bring traffickers to justice:

  • Prioritize victim services through increased use of data and program evaluations.
  • Empower more state agencies to investigate labor trafficking crimes.
  • Standardize communication among federal, state, and local agencies.
  • Track enforcement activities and study outcomes to identify best practices.
  • Ensure officials are adequately trained to investigate and prosecute labor trafficking cases.

Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda.

Get help: If you believe you may have information about a human trafficking situation, the National Human Trafficking Hotline can help. Call toll-free at 1-888-373-7888 or text at 233-733 (Be Free). If you fear a victim is in immediate danger, please contact 911 to report his/her location to the police.
 
 
Relevant Reports
(Report #251, September 2020) 
 
(Report #250, June 2020)
 
 
In the News
Print Agenda
  • September 28
    2023
    Report Implementation Status Hearing
    10 a.m.
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

     

    AGENDA:
    Report Implementation Status Hearing
    10:00 a.m.
    Thursday, September 28, 2023

    Join in-person:
    Long Beach City College, Liberal Arts Campus
    4901 East Carson Street
    Building T, Room 1100
    Long Beach, California 90808
     
    Join via Zoom:
    URL: https://bit.ly/45DJv25
    Phone: (888) 788-0099
    Webinar ID: 928-0685-1905
    Passcode: 985752

     

    1. Progress Towards Improving California's Response to Intimate Partner Violence

      1. Beth Hassett (she/her), Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, WEAVE (Written Testimony)

      2. Eric Morrison-Smith (he/him), Executive Director, Alliance for Boys and Men of Color (Written Testimony)

      3. Krista Colón (she/her), Senior Director of Public Policy Strategies, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

      4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)

     

        2. Reflections on the State’s Efforts to Combat Labor Trafficking

    1. Ryann Jorban (she/her) Deputy in Charge, the Labor Justice Unit and the Economic Justice and Notario Fraud Unit, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office; Co-Chair, Labor Trafficking Subcommittee, Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force

    2. Joseph Mellis (he/him), Deputy County Counsel, Los Angeles County; Co-Chair, Labor Trafficking Subcommittee, Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (Written Testimony)

    3. Leigh LaChapelle (they/them), Associate Director of Survivor Advocacy, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Written Testimony)

    4. Summer Stephan (she/her), District Attorney, San Diego County 

    5. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)

    Public Notice

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    September 18, 2023

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
    (916) 445-0926

     
    Notice of Report Implementation Status Hearing

     

    On September, 28, 2023, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. to examine the implementation status of two previous reports. At approximately noon, the Commission will conduct a business meeting before resuming the hearing. Both meetings will be held at Long Beach City College, Liberal Arts Campus at 4901 East Carson Street, Building T, Room 1100 in Long Beach, California 90808, and via zoom. 

    Members of the public can attend the hearing in person or listen to the hearing by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: https://bit.ly/45DJv25. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 928 0685 1905. The password is 985752. We highly recommend members of the public access the hearing through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone.
     
    Public comments will be heard during the public hearing and at the start of the business meeting, and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 30 minutes. Witnesses may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The hearing or business meeting may be cancelled without notice.

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or LittleHoover@lhc.ca.gov by September 21, 2023. 

  • May 28
    2020
    Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
    9:30 a.m.
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking

    9:30 a.m.

    Thursday, May 28, 2020

     

    Join Online or By Phone Via Zoom

    Online: https://littlehoover.zoom.us/j/99605804008?pwd=WnBldnlZRXBNY2RId1ZVTFJDd...

    Toll Free Phone: (888) 788-0099

    Webinar ID: 996-0580-4008

    Password: 826167

     

    Public Hearing: 9:30 a.m.

    Detecting Labor Trafficking

    1. Dominic Forrest, Chief of the Labor Enforcement Task Force, Department of Industrial Relations (Written Testimony)

    2. Jessica Fry, Attorney, California Labor Commissioner’s Office, Department of Industrial Relations

    3. Patricia Alatorre, Deputy Labor Commissioner, Retaliation Compliant Investigation Unit, Department of Industrial Relations

     

    Prosecuting Labor Trafficking Cases

    1. Kevin Kish, Director, Department of Fair Employment and Housing (Written Testimony)
    2. Amanda Plisner, Deputy Attorney General and Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator, Department of Justice (Written Testimony)

     

    Helping Labor Trafficking Victims Access Services

    1. Gina Buccieri-Harrington, Assistant Manager for Grants Management, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony, Attachment)
    2. Lynda Gledhill, Executive Officer, California Victim Compensation Board (Written Testimony)

     

    Public Comments

              Michael N. Feuer (Written Testimony)

    Watch the Full Hearing: https://bit.ly/3dtjQOK 

    Public Notice

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 18, 2020

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meetings

     

    On Thursday, May 28, 2020, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing beginning at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom, under the provisions of the Bagley-Keene Act as revised by Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20.

     

    Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the hearing by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: https://littlehoover.zoom.us/j/99605804008?pwd=WnBldnlZRXBNY2RId1ZVTFJDdHZBQT09. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 996-0580-4008. The password: 826167. We highly recommend members of the public access the meeting through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362233-Where-Do-I-Download-The-Latest-Version- for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone.

     

    During the hearing, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the meeting. As is the Commission’s normal procedure during physical meetings, public comments will be heard at the end of the meeting, following the final agenda item, and will be limited to three minutes each.

     

    Witnesses may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

     

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Friday, May 22, 2020.

     

    Please be aware that there may be delays in responding to emails or other communications to the Commission as our staff is now working remotely due to the coronavirus epidemic. We appreciate your patience.

    Video

  • January 30
    2020
    Labor Trafficking Advisory Meeting
    10 a.m., Controller's Conference Room #351, City Hall East, 20
    Advisory Committee Meeting
    Agenda

    Advisory Meeting on Labor Trafficking

    Thursday, January 30, 2020

    Controller's Conference Room, Room 351

    City Hall East

    200 North Main Street

    Los Angeles, CA 90012

     

    Opening Session: 10 a.m.

    Introductory Comments

    • Pedro Nava, Chairman, Little Hoover Commission
    • Mike Feuer, City Attorney, Los Angeles

     

    Discussion: How Can the State of California Enhance Identification of Labor Trafficking?

     

    Discussion: How Can the State of California Improve Its Response to Labor Trafficking Cases?

     

    Lunch Break (noon – 1 pm)

     

    Afternoon Session: 1 p.m.

    Presentation: How Other State Governments Organize to Combat Labor Trafficking

    • Maria Trujillo, Human Trafficking Program Manager, Colorado Human Trafficking Council (Presentation)

     

    Discussion: What Should the State of California Borrow from Other States’ Responses to Trafficking?

     

    Closing Remarks

     

    Public Comments

     

    Public Notice

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    January 16, 2020

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meetings

     

    On Thursday, January 30, 2020, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct an advisory meeting on California state government’s role in identifying and combatting labor trafficking and assisting victims/survivors of this type of crime. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. in the Controller’s Conference Room #351 located in City Hall East at 200 North Main Street in Los Angeles. The hearing will break at approximately noon for lunch, then reconvene at 1 p.m.

     

    Times are approximate and subject to change. Agenda items may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

     

    The meeting is open to the public. Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on any item on the Commission’s meeting agenda.

     

    The Commission welcomes written comments on its study topics at any point during the study; please email written comments to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov.

     

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, January 20, 2020.

     

    Video

    Morning Session: https://youtu.be/DQOiY08_OAc

    Afternoon Session: https://youtu.be/77OyYqHCTXA

  • November 21
    2019
    Business Meeting
    at approximately 12:30 p.m., San Diego Central Library, San Diego,
    Business Meeting
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Business Meeting
    Thursday, November 21, 2019
    Commission Room, 9th Floor, San Diego Central Library
    330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 

    The Commission will consider agenda items I-V at approximately 12:30 p.m. Members of the public will have an opportunity to make comments about Commission agenda items during the meeting.

    I. Business Meeting Minutes from October 24, 2019

    II. Administrative Update

    III. Project Selection

    a. Update on project schedule

    IV. Implementation and Impact Activity

    V. Reports from the California State Auditor’s Office

  • November 21
    2019
    Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
    10 a.m.-4:00 p.m., San Diego Central Library, San Diego, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

     

    PDF version of agenda available here (recommended for printing and downloading)

     

    AGENDA

     

    Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
    Thursday, November 21, 2019
    Shiley Special Events Suite, 9th Floor, San Diego Central Library
    330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 

     

    Public Hearing: 10 a.m.

    Introductory Comments

    1. Toni Atkins, President pro Tempore, California Senate

     

    Perspectives from Labor Trafficking Survivors and Service Providers

    2. Angela Guanzon, Survivor Advocate (Written Testimony)

    3. Renuka Zellars, Survivor Advocate

    4. Jamie Beck, President and Managing Attorney, Free to Thrive (Written Testimony)

     

    15 Minute Break

     

    Introduction to Labor Trafficking

    5. Colleen Owens, founder and CEO of THE WHY; former Senior Research Associate, Urban Institute (Written Testimony, Supplement to Written Testimony)

    6. Kathleen Kim, Professor of Law, Loyola Law School (Written Testimony)

     

    Lunch Break

     

    Hearing Reconvenes: 1:30 p.m.

    Lessons from the field: How local governments are combatting Labor Trafficking

    7. Summer Stephan, District Attorney, San Diego County (Written Testimony)

    8. Nancy O’Malley, District Attorney, Alameda County (Written Testimony)

    9. Lynette Gonzales, Deputy District Attorney, Fresno County (Written Testimony)

    10. Anh Truong, Supervising Attorney, Sex & Labor Trafficking Unit, Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office (Written Testimony)

     

    15 Minute Break

     

    Looking Ahead: What is Needed to Strengthen California’s Response to Labor Trafficking?

    11. Kay Buck, Chief Executive Officer, The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Written Testimony, Supplement to Written Testimony)

    12. Jean Bruggeman, Executive Director, The Freedom Network USA (Written Testimony)

     

    Public Comments

     

    The hearing is open to the public, although the Commission requests that those attending register at Eventbrite.com.

    Public Notice

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    November 7, 2019

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meetings

     

    On Thursday, November 21, 2019, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California state government’s role in identifying and combatting labor trafficking and assisting victims/survivors of this type of crime. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in the Shiley Special Events Suite located on the 9th floor of the San Diego Central Library at 330 Park Blvd in San Diego. The hearing will break at approximately 12:30 p.m. for lunch and the Commission’s business meeting in the Commission Room on the 9th floor of the San Diego Central Library. It expects to conclude the business meeting at approximately 1:30 p.m., at which time it will reconvene the hearing on labor trafficking in the Shiley Special Events Suite.

    The Commission may act on any item listed on the hearing or business meeting agenda. Times are approximate and subject to change. Agenda items may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

    The hearing is open to the public, although the Commission requests that those attending register at Eventbrite.com. Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on any item on the Commission’s hearing and business meeting agendas.

    The Commission welcomes written comments on its study topics at any point during the study; please email written comments to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov. The Commission also welcomes written comments on any item on its business meeting agenda; please email business meeting comments by 12 p.m. on November 14, 2019, to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov.

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, November 18, 2019.

September 28
2023
Report Implementation Status Hearing
10 a.m.
Public Hearing
Agenda

 

AGENDA:
Report Implementation Status Hearing
10:00 a.m.
Thursday, September 28, 2023

Join in-person:
Long Beach City College, Liberal Arts Campus
4901 East Carson Street
Building T, Room 1100
Long Beach, California 90808
 
Join via Zoom:
URL: https://bit.ly/45DJv25
Phone: (888) 788-0099
Webinar ID: 928-0685-1905
Passcode: 985752

 

  1. Progress Towards Improving California's Response to Intimate Partner Violence

    1. Beth Hassett (she/her), Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, WEAVE (Written Testimony)

    2. Eric Morrison-Smith (he/him), Executive Director, Alliance for Boys and Men of Color (Written Testimony)

    3. Krista Colón (she/her), Senior Director of Public Policy Strategies, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

    4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)

 

    2. Reflections on the State’s Efforts to Combat Labor Trafficking

  1. Ryann Jorban (she/her) Deputy in Charge, the Labor Justice Unit and the Economic Justice and Notario Fraud Unit, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office; Co-Chair, Labor Trafficking Subcommittee, Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force

  2. Joseph Mellis (he/him), Deputy County Counsel, Los Angeles County; Co-Chair, Labor Trafficking Subcommittee, Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (Written Testimony)

  3. Leigh LaChapelle (they/them), Associate Director of Survivor Advocacy, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Written Testimony)

  4. Summer Stephan (she/her), District Attorney, San Diego County 

  5. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)

Public Notice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2023

For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-0926

 
Notice of Report Implementation Status Hearing

 

On September, 28, 2023, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. to examine the implementation status of two previous reports. At approximately noon, the Commission will conduct a business meeting before resuming the hearing. Both meetings will be held at Long Beach City College, Liberal Arts Campus at 4901 East Carson Street, Building T, Room 1100 in Long Beach, California 90808, and via zoom. 

Members of the public can attend the hearing in person or listen to the hearing by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: https://bit.ly/45DJv25. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 928 0685 1905. The password is 985752. We highly recommend members of the public access the hearing through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone.
 
Public comments will be heard during the public hearing and at the start of the business meeting, and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 30 minutes. Witnesses may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The hearing or business meeting may be cancelled without notice.

If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or LittleHoover@lhc.ca.gov by September 21, 2023. 

May 28
2020
Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
9:30 a.m.
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking

9:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

 

Join Online or By Phone Via Zoom

Online: https://littlehoover.zoom.us/j/99605804008?pwd=WnBldnlZRXBNY2RId1ZVTFJDd...

Toll Free Phone: (888) 788-0099

Webinar ID: 996-0580-4008

Password: 826167

 

Public Hearing: 9:30 a.m.

Detecting Labor Trafficking

1. Dominic Forrest, Chief of the Labor Enforcement Task Force, Department of Industrial Relations (Written Testimony)

2. Jessica Fry, Attorney, California Labor Commissioner’s Office, Department of Industrial Relations

3. Patricia Alatorre, Deputy Labor Commissioner, Retaliation Compliant Investigation Unit, Department of Industrial Relations

 

Prosecuting Labor Trafficking Cases

  1. Kevin Kish, Director, Department of Fair Employment and Housing (Written Testimony)
  2. Amanda Plisner, Deputy Attorney General and Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator, Department of Justice (Written Testimony)

 

Helping Labor Trafficking Victims Access Services

  1. Gina Buccieri-Harrington, Assistant Manager for Grants Management, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony, Attachment)
  2. Lynda Gledhill, Executive Officer, California Victim Compensation Board (Written Testimony)

 

Public Comments

          Michael N. Feuer (Written Testimony)

Watch the Full Hearing: https://bit.ly/3dtjQOK 

Public Notice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2020

For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meetings

 

On Thursday, May 28, 2020, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing beginning at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom, under the provisions of the Bagley-Keene Act as revised by Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20.

 

Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the hearing by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: https://littlehoover.zoom.us/j/99605804008?pwd=WnBldnlZRXBNY2RId1ZVTFJDdHZBQT09. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 996-0580-4008. The password: 826167. We highly recommend members of the public access the meeting through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362233-Where-Do-I-Download-The-Latest-Version- for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone.

 

During the hearing, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the meeting. As is the Commission’s normal procedure during physical meetings, public comments will be heard at the end of the meeting, following the final agenda item, and will be limited to three minutes each.

 

Witnesses may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

 

If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Friday, May 22, 2020.

 

Please be aware that there may be delays in responding to emails or other communications to the Commission as our staff is now working remotely due to the coronavirus epidemic. We appreciate your patience.

Video

January 30
2020
Labor Trafficking Advisory Meeting
10 a.m., Controller's Conference Room #351, City Hall East, 200 North Main Street, Los Angeles
Advisory Committee Meeting
Agenda

Advisory Meeting on Labor Trafficking

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Controller's Conference Room, Room 351

City Hall East

200 North Main Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

 

Opening Session: 10 a.m.

Introductory Comments

  • Pedro Nava, Chairman, Little Hoover Commission
  • Mike Feuer, City Attorney, Los Angeles

 

Discussion: How Can the State of California Enhance Identification of Labor Trafficking?

 

Discussion: How Can the State of California Improve Its Response to Labor Trafficking Cases?

 

Lunch Break (noon – 1 pm)

 

Afternoon Session: 1 p.m.

Presentation: How Other State Governments Organize to Combat Labor Trafficking

  • Maria Trujillo, Human Trafficking Program Manager, Colorado Human Trafficking Council (Presentation)

 

Discussion: What Should the State of California Borrow from Other States’ Responses to Trafficking?

 

Closing Remarks

 

Public Comments

 

Public Notice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2020

For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meetings

 

On Thursday, January 30, 2020, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct an advisory meeting on California state government’s role in identifying and combatting labor trafficking and assisting victims/survivors of this type of crime. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. in the Controller’s Conference Room #351 located in City Hall East at 200 North Main Street in Los Angeles. The hearing will break at approximately noon for lunch, then reconvene at 1 p.m.

 

Times are approximate and subject to change. Agenda items may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

 

The meeting is open to the public. Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on any item on the Commission’s meeting agenda.

 

The Commission welcomes written comments on its study topics at any point during the study; please email written comments to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov.

 

If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, January 20, 2020.

 

Video

Morning Session: https://youtu.be/DQOiY08_OAc

Afternoon Session: https://youtu.be/77OyYqHCTXA

November 21
2019
Business Meeting
at approximately 12:30 p.m., San Diego Central Library, San Diego, CA
Business Meeting
Agenda

AGENDA

Business Meeting
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Commission Room, 9th Floor, San Diego Central Library
330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 

The Commission will consider agenda items I-V at approximately 12:30 p.m. Members of the public will have an opportunity to make comments about Commission agenda items during the meeting.

I. Business Meeting Minutes from October 24, 2019

II. Administrative Update

III. Project Selection

a. Update on project schedule

IV. Implementation and Impact Activity

V. Reports from the California State Auditor’s Office

November 21
2019
Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
10 a.m.-4:00 p.m., San Diego Central Library, San Diego, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

 

PDF version of agenda available here (recommended for printing and downloading)

 

AGENDA

 

Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Shiley Special Events Suite, 9th Floor, San Diego Central Library
330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 

 

Public Hearing: 10 a.m.

Introductory Comments

1. Toni Atkins, President pro Tempore, California Senate

 

Perspectives from Labor Trafficking Survivors and Service Providers

2. Angela Guanzon, Survivor Advocate (Written Testimony)

3. Renuka Zellars, Survivor Advocate

4. Jamie Beck, President and Managing Attorney, Free to Thrive (Written Testimony)

 

15 Minute Break

 

Introduction to Labor Trafficking

5. Colleen Owens, founder and CEO of THE WHY; former Senior Research Associate, Urban Institute (Written Testimony, Supplement to Written Testimony)

6. Kathleen Kim, Professor of Law, Loyola Law School (Written Testimony)

 

Lunch Break

 

Hearing Reconvenes: 1:30 p.m.

Lessons from the field: How local governments are combatting Labor Trafficking

7. Summer Stephan, District Attorney, San Diego County (Written Testimony)

8. Nancy O’Malley, District Attorney, Alameda County (Written Testimony)

9. Lynette Gonzales, Deputy District Attorney, Fresno County (Written Testimony)

10. Anh Truong, Supervising Attorney, Sex & Labor Trafficking Unit, Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office (Written Testimony)

 

15 Minute Break

 

Looking Ahead: What is Needed to Strengthen California’s Response to Labor Trafficking?

11. Kay Buck, Chief Executive Officer, The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Written Testimony, Supplement to Written Testimony)

12. Jean Bruggeman, Executive Director, The Freedom Network USA (Written Testimony)

 

Public Comments

 

The hearing is open to the public, although the Commission requests that those attending register at Eventbrite.com.

Public Notice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2019

For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meetings

 

On Thursday, November 21, 2019, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California state government’s role in identifying and combatting labor trafficking and assisting victims/survivors of this type of crime. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in the Shiley Special Events Suite located on the 9th floor of the San Diego Central Library at 330 Park Blvd in San Diego. The hearing will break at approximately 12:30 p.m. for lunch and the Commission’s business meeting in the Commission Room on the 9th floor of the San Diego Central Library. It expects to conclude the business meeting at approximately 1:30 p.m., at which time it will reconvene the hearing on labor trafficking in the Shiley Special Events Suite.

The Commission may act on any item listed on the hearing or business meeting agenda. Times are approximate and subject to change. Agenda items may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

The hearing is open to the public, although the Commission requests that those attending register at Eventbrite.com. Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on any item on the Commission’s hearing and business meeting agendas.

The Commission welcomes written comments on its study topics at any point during the study; please email written comments to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov. The Commission also welcomes written comments on any item on its business meeting agenda; please email business meeting comments by 12 p.m. on November 14, 2019, to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov.

If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, November 18, 2019.

Print Agenda
  • September 28
    2023
    Report Implementation Status Hearing
    10 a.m.
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

     

    AGENDA:
    Report Implementation Status Hearing
    10:00 a.m.
    Thursday, September 28, 2023

    Join in-person:
    Long Beach City College, Liberal Arts Campus
    4901 East Carson Street
    Building T, Room 1100
    Long Beach, California 90808
     
    Join via Zoom:
    URL: https://bit.ly/45DJv25
    Phone: (888) 788-0099
    Webinar ID: 928-0685-1905
    Passcode: 985752

     

    1. Progress Towards Improving California's Response to Intimate Partner Violence

      1. Beth Hassett (she/her), Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, WEAVE (Written Testimony)

      2. Eric Morrison-Smith (he/him), Executive Director, Alliance for Boys and Men of Color (Written Testimony)

      3. Krista Colón (she/her), Senior Director of Public Policy Strategies, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

      4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)

     

        2. Reflections on the State’s Efforts to Combat Labor Trafficking

    1. Ryann Jorban (she/her) Deputy in Charge, the Labor Justice Unit and the Economic Justice and Notario Fraud Unit, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office; Co-Chair, Labor Trafficking Subcommittee, Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force

    2. Joseph Mellis (he/him), Deputy County Counsel, Los Angeles County; Co-Chair, Labor Trafficking Subcommittee, Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (Written Testimony)

    3. Leigh LaChapelle (they/them), Associate Director of Survivor Advocacy, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Written Testimony)

    4. Summer Stephan (she/her), District Attorney, San Diego County 

    5. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)

    Public Notice

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    September 18, 2023

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
    (916) 445-0926

     
    Notice of Report Implementation Status Hearing

     

    On September, 28, 2023, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. to examine the implementation status of two previous reports. At approximately noon, the Commission will conduct a business meeting before resuming the hearing. Both meetings will be held at Long Beach City College, Liberal Arts Campus at 4901 East Carson Street, Building T, Room 1100 in Long Beach, California 90808, and via zoom. 

    Members of the public can attend the hearing in person or listen to the hearing by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: https://bit.ly/45DJv25. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 928 0685 1905. The password is 985752. We highly recommend members of the public access the hearing through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone.
     
    Public comments will be heard during the public hearing and at the start of the business meeting, and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 30 minutes. Witnesses may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The hearing or business meeting may be cancelled without notice.

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or LittleHoover@lhc.ca.gov by September 21, 2023. 

  • May 28
    2020
    Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
    9:30 a.m.
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking

    9:30 a.m.

    Thursday, May 28, 2020

     

    Join Online or By Phone Via Zoom

    Online: https://littlehoover.zoom.us/j/99605804008?pwd=WnBldnlZRXBNY2RId1ZVTFJDd...

    Toll Free Phone: (888) 788-0099

    Webinar ID: 996-0580-4008

    Password: 826167

     

    Public Hearing: 9:30 a.m.

    Detecting Labor Trafficking

    1. Dominic Forrest, Chief of the Labor Enforcement Task Force, Department of Industrial Relations (Written Testimony)

    2. Jessica Fry, Attorney, California Labor Commissioner’s Office, Department of Industrial Relations

    3. Patricia Alatorre, Deputy Labor Commissioner, Retaliation Compliant Investigation Unit, Department of Industrial Relations

     

    Prosecuting Labor Trafficking Cases

    1. Kevin Kish, Director, Department of Fair Employment and Housing (Written Testimony)
    2. Amanda Plisner, Deputy Attorney General and Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator, Department of Justice (Written Testimony)

     

    Helping Labor Trafficking Victims Access Services

    1. Gina Buccieri-Harrington, Assistant Manager for Grants Management, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony, Attachment)
    2. Lynda Gledhill, Executive Officer, California Victim Compensation Board (Written Testimony)

     

    Public Comments

              Michael N. Feuer (Written Testimony)

    Watch the Full Hearing: https://bit.ly/3dtjQOK 

    Public Notice

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 18, 2020

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meetings

     

    On Thursday, May 28, 2020, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing beginning at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom, under the provisions of the Bagley-Keene Act as revised by Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20.

     

    Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the hearing by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: https://littlehoover.zoom.us/j/99605804008?pwd=WnBldnlZRXBNY2RId1ZVTFJDdHZBQT09. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 996-0580-4008. The password: 826167. We highly recommend members of the public access the meeting through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362233-Where-Do-I-Download-The-Latest-Version- for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone.

     

    During the hearing, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the meeting. As is the Commission’s normal procedure during physical meetings, public comments will be heard at the end of the meeting, following the final agenda item, and will be limited to three minutes each.

     

    Witnesses may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

     

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Friday, May 22, 2020.

     

    Please be aware that there may be delays in responding to emails or other communications to the Commission as our staff is now working remotely due to the coronavirus epidemic. We appreciate your patience.

    Video

  • January 30
    2020
    Labor Trafficking Advisory Meeting
    10 a.m., Controller's Conference Room #351, City Hall East, 20
    Advisory Committee Meeting
    Agenda

    Advisory Meeting on Labor Trafficking

    Thursday, January 30, 2020

    Controller's Conference Room, Room 351

    City Hall East

    200 North Main Street

    Los Angeles, CA 90012

     

    Opening Session: 10 a.m.

    Introductory Comments

    • Pedro Nava, Chairman, Little Hoover Commission
    • Mike Feuer, City Attorney, Los Angeles

     

    Discussion: How Can the State of California Enhance Identification of Labor Trafficking?

     

    Discussion: How Can the State of California Improve Its Response to Labor Trafficking Cases?

     

    Lunch Break (noon – 1 pm)

     

    Afternoon Session: 1 p.m.

    Presentation: How Other State Governments Organize to Combat Labor Trafficking

    • Maria Trujillo, Human Trafficking Program Manager, Colorado Human Trafficking Council (Presentation)

     

    Discussion: What Should the State of California Borrow from Other States’ Responses to Trafficking?

     

    Closing Remarks

     

    Public Comments

     

    Public Notice

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    January 16, 2020

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meetings

     

    On Thursday, January 30, 2020, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct an advisory meeting on California state government’s role in identifying and combatting labor trafficking and assisting victims/survivors of this type of crime. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. in the Controller’s Conference Room #351 located in City Hall East at 200 North Main Street in Los Angeles. The hearing will break at approximately noon for lunch, then reconvene at 1 p.m.

     

    Times are approximate and subject to change. Agenda items may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

     

    The meeting is open to the public. Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on any item on the Commission’s meeting agenda.

     

    The Commission welcomes written comments on its study topics at any point during the study; please email written comments to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov.

     

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, January 20, 2020.

     

    Video

    Morning Session: https://youtu.be/DQOiY08_OAc

    Afternoon Session: https://youtu.be/77OyYqHCTXA

  • November 21
    2019
    Business Meeting
    at approximately 12:30 p.m., San Diego Central Library, San Diego,
    Business Meeting
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Business Meeting
    Thursday, November 21, 2019
    Commission Room, 9th Floor, San Diego Central Library
    330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 

    The Commission will consider agenda items I-V at approximately 12:30 p.m. Members of the public will have an opportunity to make comments about Commission agenda items during the meeting.

    I. Business Meeting Minutes from October 24, 2019

    II. Administrative Update

    III. Project Selection

    a. Update on project schedule

    IV. Implementation and Impact Activity

    V. Reports from the California State Auditor’s Office

  • November 21
    2019
    Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
    10 a.m.-4:00 p.m., San Diego Central Library, San Diego, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

     

    PDF version of agenda available here (recommended for printing and downloading)

     

    AGENDA

     

    Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
    Thursday, November 21, 2019
    Shiley Special Events Suite, 9th Floor, San Diego Central Library
    330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 

     

    Public Hearing: 10 a.m.

    Introductory Comments

    1. Toni Atkins, President pro Tempore, California Senate

     

    Perspectives from Labor Trafficking Survivors and Service Providers

    2. Angela Guanzon, Survivor Advocate (Written Testimony)

    3. Renuka Zellars, Survivor Advocate

    4. Jamie Beck, President and Managing Attorney, Free to Thrive (Written Testimony)

     

    15 Minute Break

     

    Introduction to Labor Trafficking

    5. Colleen Owens, founder and CEO of THE WHY; former Senior Research Associate, Urban Institute (Written Testimony, Supplement to Written Testimony)

    6. Kathleen Kim, Professor of Law, Loyola Law School (Written Testimony)

     

    Lunch Break

     

    Hearing Reconvenes: 1:30 p.m.

    Lessons from the field: How local governments are combatting Labor Trafficking

    7. Summer Stephan, District Attorney, San Diego County (Written Testimony)

    8. Nancy O’Malley, District Attorney, Alameda County (Written Testimony)

    9. Lynette Gonzales, Deputy District Attorney, Fresno County (Written Testimony)

    10. Anh Truong, Supervising Attorney, Sex & Labor Trafficking Unit, Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office (Written Testimony)

     

    15 Minute Break

     

    Looking Ahead: What is Needed to Strengthen California’s Response to Labor Trafficking?

    11. Kay Buck, Chief Executive Officer, The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Written Testimony, Supplement to Written Testimony)

    12. Jean Bruggeman, Executive Director, The Freedom Network USA (Written Testimony)

     

    Public Comments

     

    The hearing is open to the public, although the Commission requests that those attending register at Eventbrite.com.

    Public Notice

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    November 7, 2019

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meetings

     

    On Thursday, November 21, 2019, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California state government’s role in identifying and combatting labor trafficking and assisting victims/survivors of this type of crime. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in the Shiley Special Events Suite located on the 9th floor of the San Diego Central Library at 330 Park Blvd in San Diego. The hearing will break at approximately 12:30 p.m. for lunch and the Commission’s business meeting in the Commission Room on the 9th floor of the San Diego Central Library. It expects to conclude the business meeting at approximately 1:30 p.m., at which time it will reconvene the hearing on labor trafficking in the Shiley Special Events Suite.

    The Commission may act on any item listed on the hearing or business meeting agenda. Times are approximate and subject to change. Agenda items may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

    The hearing is open to the public, although the Commission requests that those attending register at Eventbrite.com. Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on any item on the Commission’s hearing and business meeting agendas.

    The Commission welcomes written comments on its study topics at any point during the study; please email written comments to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov. The Commission also welcomes written comments on any item on its business meeting agenda; please email business meeting comments by 12 p.m. on November 14, 2019, to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov.

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, November 18, 2019.

September 28
2023
Report Implementation Status Hearing
10 a.m.
Public Hearing
Agenda

 

AGENDA:
Report Implementation Status Hearing
10:00 a.m.
Thursday, September 28, 2023

Join in-person:
Long Beach City College, Liberal Arts Campus
4901 East Carson Street
Building T, Room 1100
Long Beach, California 90808
 
Join via Zoom:
URL: https://bit.ly/45DJv25
Phone: (888) 788-0099
Webinar ID: 928-0685-1905
Passcode: 985752

 

  1. Progress Towards Improving California's Response to Intimate Partner Violence

    1. Beth Hassett (she/her), Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, WEAVE (Written Testimony)

    2. Eric Morrison-Smith (he/him), Executive Director, Alliance for Boys and Men of Color (Written Testimony)

    3. Krista Colón (she/her), Senior Director of Public Policy Strategies, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

    4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)

 

    2. Reflections on the State’s Efforts to Combat Labor Trafficking

  1. Ryann Jorban (she/her) Deputy in Charge, the Labor Justice Unit and the Economic Justice and Notario Fraud Unit, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office; Co-Chair, Labor Trafficking Subcommittee, Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force

  2. Joseph Mellis (he/him), Deputy County Counsel, Los Angeles County; Co-Chair, Labor Trafficking Subcommittee, Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (Written Testimony)

  3. Leigh LaChapelle (they/them), Associate Director of Survivor Advocacy, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Written Testimony)

  4. Summer Stephan (she/her), District Attorney, San Diego County 

  5. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker, limited to 30 minutes total)

Public Notice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2023

For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-0926

 
Notice of Report Implementation Status Hearing

 

On September, 28, 2023, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. to examine the implementation status of two previous reports. At approximately noon, the Commission will conduct a business meeting before resuming the hearing. Both meetings will be held at Long Beach City College, Liberal Arts Campus at 4901 East Carson Street, Building T, Room 1100 in Long Beach, California 90808, and via zoom. 

Members of the public can attend the hearing in person or listen to the hearing by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: https://bit.ly/45DJv25. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 928 0685 1905. The password is 985752. We highly recommend members of the public access the hearing through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone.
 
Public comments will be heard during the public hearing and at the start of the business meeting, and will be limited to three minutes per speaker and to a total of 30 minutes. Witnesses may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The hearing or business meeting may be cancelled without notice.

If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or LittleHoover@lhc.ca.gov by September 21, 2023. 

May 28
2020
Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
9:30 a.m.
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking

9:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

 

Join Online or By Phone Via Zoom

Online: https://littlehoover.zoom.us/j/99605804008?pwd=WnBldnlZRXBNY2RId1ZVTFJDd...

Toll Free Phone: (888) 788-0099

Webinar ID: 996-0580-4008

Password: 826167

 

Public Hearing: 9:30 a.m.

Detecting Labor Trafficking

1. Dominic Forrest, Chief of the Labor Enforcement Task Force, Department of Industrial Relations (Written Testimony)

2. Jessica Fry, Attorney, California Labor Commissioner’s Office, Department of Industrial Relations

3. Patricia Alatorre, Deputy Labor Commissioner, Retaliation Compliant Investigation Unit, Department of Industrial Relations

 

Prosecuting Labor Trafficking Cases

  1. Kevin Kish, Director, Department of Fair Employment and Housing (Written Testimony)
  2. Amanda Plisner, Deputy Attorney General and Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator, Department of Justice (Written Testimony)

 

Helping Labor Trafficking Victims Access Services

  1. Gina Buccieri-Harrington, Assistant Manager for Grants Management, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony, Attachment)
  2. Lynda Gledhill, Executive Officer, California Victim Compensation Board (Written Testimony)

 

Public Comments

          Michael N. Feuer (Written Testimony)

Watch the Full Hearing: https://bit.ly/3dtjQOK 

Public Notice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2020

For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meetings

 

On Thursday, May 28, 2020, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing beginning at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom, under the provisions of the Bagley-Keene Act as revised by Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20.

 

Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the hearing by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: https://littlehoover.zoom.us/j/99605804008?pwd=WnBldnlZRXBNY2RId1ZVTFJDdHZBQT09. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 996-0580-4008. The password: 826167. We highly recommend members of the public access the meeting through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362233-Where-Do-I-Download-The-Latest-Version- for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone.

 

During the hearing, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the meeting. As is the Commission’s normal procedure during physical meetings, public comments will be heard at the end of the meeting, following the final agenda item, and will be limited to three minutes each.

 

Witnesses may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

 

If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Friday, May 22, 2020.

 

Please be aware that there may be delays in responding to emails or other communications to the Commission as our staff is now working remotely due to the coronavirus epidemic. We appreciate your patience.

Video

January 30
2020
Labor Trafficking Advisory Meeting
10 a.m., Controller's Conference Room #351, City Hall East, 200 North Main Street, Los Angeles
Advisory Committee Meeting
Agenda

Advisory Meeting on Labor Trafficking

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Controller's Conference Room, Room 351

City Hall East

200 North Main Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

 

Opening Session: 10 a.m.

Introductory Comments

  • Pedro Nava, Chairman, Little Hoover Commission
  • Mike Feuer, City Attorney, Los Angeles

 

Discussion: How Can the State of California Enhance Identification of Labor Trafficking?

 

Discussion: How Can the State of California Improve Its Response to Labor Trafficking Cases?

 

Lunch Break (noon – 1 pm)

 

Afternoon Session: 1 p.m.

Presentation: How Other State Governments Organize to Combat Labor Trafficking

  • Maria Trujillo, Human Trafficking Program Manager, Colorado Human Trafficking Council (Presentation)

 

Discussion: What Should the State of California Borrow from Other States’ Responses to Trafficking?

 

Closing Remarks

 

Public Comments

 

Public Notice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2020

For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meetings

 

On Thursday, January 30, 2020, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct an advisory meeting on California state government’s role in identifying and combatting labor trafficking and assisting victims/survivors of this type of crime. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. in the Controller’s Conference Room #351 located in City Hall East at 200 North Main Street in Los Angeles. The hearing will break at approximately noon for lunch, then reconvene at 1 p.m.

 

Times are approximate and subject to change. Agenda items may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

 

The meeting is open to the public. Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on any item on the Commission’s meeting agenda.

 

The Commission welcomes written comments on its study topics at any point during the study; please email written comments to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov.

 

If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, January 20, 2020.

 

Video

Morning Session: https://youtu.be/DQOiY08_OAc

Afternoon Session: https://youtu.be/77OyYqHCTXA

November 21
2019
Business Meeting
at approximately 12:30 p.m., San Diego Central Library, San Diego, CA
Business Meeting
Agenda

AGENDA

Business Meeting
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Commission Room, 9th Floor, San Diego Central Library
330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 

The Commission will consider agenda items I-V at approximately 12:30 p.m. Members of the public will have an opportunity to make comments about Commission agenda items during the meeting.

I. Business Meeting Minutes from October 24, 2019

II. Administrative Update

III. Project Selection

a. Update on project schedule

IV. Implementation and Impact Activity

V. Reports from the California State Auditor’s Office

November 21
2019
Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
10 a.m.-4:00 p.m., San Diego Central Library, San Diego, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

 

PDF version of agenda available here (recommended for printing and downloading)

 

AGENDA

 

Public Hearing on Labor Trafficking
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Shiley Special Events Suite, 9th Floor, San Diego Central Library
330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 

 

Public Hearing: 10 a.m.

Introductory Comments

1. Toni Atkins, President pro Tempore, California Senate

 

Perspectives from Labor Trafficking Survivors and Service Providers

2. Angela Guanzon, Survivor Advocate (Written Testimony)

3. Renuka Zellars, Survivor Advocate

4. Jamie Beck, President and Managing Attorney, Free to Thrive (Written Testimony)

 

15 Minute Break

 

Introduction to Labor Trafficking

5. Colleen Owens, founder and CEO of THE WHY; former Senior Research Associate, Urban Institute (Written Testimony, Supplement to Written Testimony)

6. Kathleen Kim, Professor of Law, Loyola Law School (Written Testimony)

 

Lunch Break

 

Hearing Reconvenes: 1:30 p.m.

Lessons from the field: How local governments are combatting Labor Trafficking

7. Summer Stephan, District Attorney, San Diego County (Written Testimony)

8. Nancy O’Malley, District Attorney, Alameda County (Written Testimony)

9. Lynette Gonzales, Deputy District Attorney, Fresno County (Written Testimony)

10. Anh Truong, Supervising Attorney, Sex & Labor Trafficking Unit, Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office (Written Testimony)

 

15 Minute Break

 

Looking Ahead: What is Needed to Strengthen California’s Response to Labor Trafficking?

11. Kay Buck, Chief Executive Officer, The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Written Testimony, Supplement to Written Testimony)

12. Jean Bruggeman, Executive Director, The Freedom Network USA (Written Testimony)

 

Public Comments

 

The hearing is open to the public, although the Commission requests that those attending register at Eventbrite.com.

Public Notice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2019

For Additional Information Contact:
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meetings

 

On Thursday, November 21, 2019, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California state government’s role in identifying and combatting labor trafficking and assisting victims/survivors of this type of crime. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in the Shiley Special Events Suite located on the 9th floor of the San Diego Central Library at 330 Park Blvd in San Diego. The hearing will break at approximately 12:30 p.m. for lunch and the Commission’s business meeting in the Commission Room on the 9th floor of the San Diego Central Library. It expects to conclude the business meeting at approximately 1:30 p.m., at which time it will reconvene the hearing on labor trafficking in the Shiley Special Events Suite.

The Commission may act on any item listed on the hearing or business meeting agenda. Times are approximate and subject to change. Agenda items may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. The meeting may be cancelled without notice.  

The hearing is open to the public, although the Commission requests that those attending register at Eventbrite.com. Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on any item on the Commission’s hearing and business meeting agendas.

The Commission welcomes written comments on its study topics at any point during the study; please email written comments to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov. The Commission also welcomes written comments on any item on its business meeting agenda; please email business meeting comments by 12 p.m. on November 14, 2019, to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov.

If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Monday, November 18, 2019.