|
DATE: |
March 3, 2026 and March 24, 2026 |
03 |
SUBJECT
Title
ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE IIIx TO THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE RELATED TO THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN ADVISORY COUNCIL AND AUTHORIZE APPLYING FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING-RELATED GRANTS (3/03/26 First Reading; 3/24/26 Second Reading); APPROVAL OF BYLAWS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On June 14, 2011 (9), the Board of Supervisors (Board) established the San Diego Regional Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Advisory Council (Advisory Council) to collaboratively create long-term, systemic changes to effectively address human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The Board directed that the Advisory Council include members from law enforcement agencies, victim services organizations, the education community, and volunteer and community groups. At that time, the Advisory Council was comprised of representatives of subcommittees, which were informal and formal groups generally self-organized by the sectors involved in combating and responding to human trafficking and CSEC. Subcommittees elected two members from ten sector groups, for a total of twenty members. As the Advisory Council’s work and membership have evolved, the Advisory Council and County staff recommend codifying its purpose, structure, membership application process, and appointing authorities, while maintaining representation from the same ten sectors, business, child and family well-being, community, education, health services, law enforcement, prosecution, research and data, survivor voices, and survivor services. To formalize these changes, an ordinance, and accompanying bylaws to implement the ordinance, are required.
Today's request is to approve the introduction of an ordinance to amend the San Diego County Administrative Code to formally establish the membership and organization of the Advisory Council. If approved on March 3, 2026, the Board will subsequently consider on March 24, 2026, the adoption of the ordinance and Advisory Council bylaws. The bylaws reflect the procedures and new membership appointment practices established in the ordinance. A waiver of Board Policy B-29, which requires prior approval of grant applications, is requested to authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health and Human Services Agency, and/or the District Attorney, or their designees, to apply for grant funding through June 30, 2031 to support human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation of children prevention and intervention activities and/or services for adult and youth victims and survivors.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
On March 3, 2026:
1. Approve the introduction of the Ordinance (first reading):
AN ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE IIIx TO THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE RELATING TO THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN ADVISORY COUNCIL
2. Waive Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery, which requires prior approval of grant applications and full cost recovery for grants, and authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health and Human Services Agency, and/or the District Attorney, or their designees through June 30, 2031, to apply for grant funding to support human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation of children prevention and intervention activities and/or services for adult and youth victims and survivors.
If on March 3, 2026, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors take action as recommended then, on, March 24, 2026:
1. Consider and adopt the Ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE IIIx TO THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE RELATING TO THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND COMMERICIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN ADVISORY COUNCIL
2. Approve The San Diego Regional Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Advisory Council Bylaws.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed action to formally establish the membership and organization of the San Diego Regional Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Advisory Council seeks to improve coordination, prevention, and response efforts related to human trafficking throughout the region. Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking; however, available data show that certain populations experience disproportionate impacts, including youth involved in the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems, runaway and homeless youth, Black individuals, migrant laborers, LGBTQ+ individuals, survivors of sexual or domestic violence, and individuals experiencing addiction. A 2016 regional study also found that while trafficking occurs countywide, victims are overrepresented in specific ZIP codes. The proposed action supports efforts to better identify and address the needs of communities at elevated risk, strengthen regional collaboration, and improve outcomes for individuals vulnerable to continued marginalization.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The implementation of an Ordinance to update the San Diego Regional Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Advisory Council supports the County of San Diego’s Sustainability Vision by fostering inclusive, resilient, and equitable communities. This action aligns by engaging the community in meaningful ways and seeking diverse stakeholder input to inform regional strategies addressing human trafficking. The Advisory Council brings together representatives from multiple sectors-including law enforcement, education, health, and survivor services-to collaborate on sustainable, community-centered solutions. It also promotes equitable access to services, policy development, and resources that support individuals at risk of exploitation. Through coordination and collaboration, the Advisory Council contributes to long-term social sustainability by strengthening community capacity, reducing systemic inequities, and enhancing safety and well-being for all residents.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with these recommendations. Staff will return to the Board of Supervisors as necessary to accept grant awards and to establish appropriations. There is no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
On December 10, 2025, the current Advisory Council, with 17 of 20 members present, voted unanimously to approve the conforming bylaws.
BACKGROUND
On June 14, 2011 (9), the Board of Supervisors (Board) established the San Diego Regional Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Advisory Council (Advisory Council), tasking it with developing strategies based on the U.S. Department of Justice’s Four P’s Model: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnerships. Since its establishment nearly 15 years ago, the Advisory Council has continued to follow the “Four Ps” while evolving its membership and adopting a more comprehensive approach to address the changing dynamics of human trafficking.
The Advisory Council brings together expertise from ten public agency and community-based sectors - business, child and family well-being, community, education, health services, law enforcement, prosecution, research and data, survivor voices, and survivor services - to coordinate actions, share best practices, and strengthen regional prevention and intervention efforts. District Attorney representatives provide ongoing leadership for the Advisory Council in collaboration with Public Safety Executive Office staff, helping ensure a coordinated, survivor-centered approach. Through these partnerships, the Advisory Council contributes significantly to the region’s anti-trafficking work by reviewing and providing input on recommendations to the Board, coordinating training for key sectors such as healthcare and education, convening stakeholder events to develop best practices, leading public awareness campaigns and community outreach, and partnering with community groups to expand the economic opportunities for survivors.
As the Advisory Council’s work and membership have evolved, there is a need to codify its structure, membership application process, and appointing authorities. Individuals serving on the Advisory Council as of the effective date of the ordinance shall continue to serve in their current capacity for the duration of their respective terms. Today’s proposed ordinance will codify the body’s purpose, membership and appointing authorities in the County Administrative Code. The accompanying bylaws provide the detailed structure necessary to implement the ordinance, including the process for reviewing applications and appointing the Advisory Council’s twenty voting members across ten designated sectors. The ordinance and bylaws identify the specific appointing authorities for these sectors, including the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Child and Family Well-Being, the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, the District Attorney, and the City Attorney. The composition and expertise of the Advisory Council reflect a diverse group of public agencies, community-based organizations, and community members that coordinate actions under the “Four P’s” Model.
The Advisory Council and the entities it represents, such as law enforcement and prosecution, have positively impacted the region’s ability to prevent, disrupt and prosecute trafficking and protect youth and adults. Unfortunately, online networks and tactics and the lucrative incentives involved in sexual and labor exploitation mean trafficking remains a reality that requires regional coordination and multidisciplinary expertise. Today’s proposed ordinance would also affirm the current Board’s ongoing support for the Advisory Council and its unique role in coordinating activities that prevent crimes that disproportionally impact the most vulnerable youth and adults and help victims and survivors to heal and thrive.
Today’s request related to the Advisory Council requires two steps. On March 3, 2026, Board action is requested to approve the introduction of an Ordinance amending the San Diego County Administrative Code to include provisions related to the San Diego Regional Human Trafficking and CSEC Advisory Council (first reading). If the Board approves the recommended actions for March 3, 2026, then on March 24, 2026, the Board is requested to consider and adopt the Ordinance and approve the Advisory Council bylaws.
Today’s action also includes a request to waive Policy B-29, which requires Board approval for specific grant applications, to authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health and Human Services Agency, and/or the District Attorney, or their designees, to apply for grant funding through June 30, 2031 to support human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation of children prevention and intervention activities and/or services for adult and youth victims and survivors. County departments and offices in the Health and Human Services Agency and Public Safety play an important role in preventing and intervening in trafficking and CSEC, holding traffickers accountable and providing direct services to adult and youth victims and survivors of trafficking. Federal and state funding for these activities is limited and variable; grant funding is periodically available to bolster the County’s dedicated resources, and today’s action would allow the County to respond to grant opportunities within short timelines. Staff will return to the Board to accept any grant awards and to establish appropriations.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the Equity, Community and Justice Strategic Initiatives of the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan by increasing access to supportive services for populations disproportionally impacted by human trafficking, increasing engagement for individuals and communities to get involved in the work, and ensuring a fair and equitable justice system in the defense and prosecution of crimes and support services for victims.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - AN ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE IIIx TO THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE RELATING TO THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN ADVISORY COUNCIL (Clean Copy)
Attachment B - AN ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE IIIx TO THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE RELATING TO THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN ADVISORY COUNCIL (Informational Copy)
Attachment C - Summary of Proposed Ordinance
Attachment D - The San Diego Regional Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children Advisory Council Bylaws