The prostitution prevention and intervention account is created in the state treasury. Expenditures from the account may be used in the following order of priority:
(1) Funding the statewide coordinating committee on sex trafficking;
(2) Programs that provide mental health and substance abuse counseling, parenting skills training, housing relief, education, and vocational training for youth who have been diverted for a prostitution or prostitution loitering offense pursuant to RCW 13.40.213;
(3) Funding for services provided to sexually exploited children as defined in RCW 13.32A.030 in secure and semi-secure crisis residential centers with access to staff trained to meet their specific needs;
(4) Funding for services specified in RCW * 74.14B.060 and 74.14B.070 for sexually exploited children; and
(5) Funding the grant program to enhance prostitution prevention and intervention services under RCW 43.63A.720.
Notes:
Intent—Finding—2013 c 121: "The legislature recognizes there are many state agencies and private organizations that might be called on to provide services to victims of sex trafficking. Victims of human trafficking are often in need of services such as emergency medical attention, food and shelter, vocational and English language training, mental health counseling, and legal support. The state intends to improve the response of state, local, and private entities to incidents of trafficking of humans. Victims would be better served if there is an established, coordinated system of identifying the needs of sex trafficking victims, training of service delivery agencies and staff, timely and appropriate delivery of services, and better investigations and prosecutions of trafficking.
Leadership in providing services to victims of sex trafficking also extends beyond government efforts and is grounded in the work of highly dedicated individuals and community-based groups. Without these efforts the struggle against human trafficking will be very difficult to win. The legislature, therefore, finds that such efforts merit regular public recognition and appreciation. Such recognition and appreciation will encourage the efforts of all persons to end sex trafficking, and provide the public with information and education about the necessity of its involvement in this struggle." [ 2013 c 121 s 1.]