2023 California Code › Evidence Code - EVID › DIVISION 8 - PRIVILEGES › CHAPTER 4 - Particular Privileges › ARTICLE 8.8 - Human Trafficking Caseworker-Victim Privilege › Section 1038.2.

1038.2. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a) “Confidential communication” means all information, including, but not limited to, written and oral communication, transmitted between the victim and the human trafficking caseworker in the course of their relationship and in confidence by a means which, so far as the victim is aware, discloses the information to no third persons other than those who are present to further the interests of the victim in the consultation or those to whom disclosures are reasonably necessary for the transmission of the information or an accomplishment of the purposes for which the human trafficking caseworker is consulted and made with the victim’s knowledge and consent. “Confidential communication” includes all information regarding the facts and circumstances relating to all incidences of human trafficking, as well as all information about the children of the victim and the relationship of the victim to the human trafficker.
(b) “Holder of the privilege” means:
(1) The victim if the victim has no guardian or conservator.
(2) A guardian or conservator of the victim if the victim has a guardian or conservator.
(3) The personal representative of the victim if the victim is deceased.
(c) “Human trafficking caseworker” means a person working for a human trafficking victim service organization, whether financially compensated or not, for the purpose of rendering advice or assistance to victims of human trafficking, who meets the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2) and who also meets the requirements of paragraph (3), if applicable:
(1) Has an advanced degree or license, such as a master’s degree in counseling, social work, or a related field and at least one year of experience in a caseworker role working directly with victims of human trafficking.
(2) Has at least 40 hours of training as specified in this paragraph and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a human trafficking caseworker under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but need not be limited to, the following areas:
(A) History of human trafficking.
(B) Civil and criminal law relating to human trafficking.
(C) Systems of oppression.
(D) Peer counseling techniques.
(E) Resources available to victims of human trafficking.
(F) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.
(G) Role playing.
(H) Intersections of human trafficking and other crimes.
(I) Client and system advocacy.
(J) Referral services.
(K) Connecting to local, regional, and national human trafficking coalitions.
(L) Explaining privileged communications.
(3) If the caseworker has been employed by a human trafficking service organization for a period of less than six months, that caseworker is supervised by another human trafficking caseworker who has at least one year of experience working with human trafficking victims.
(d) “Human trafficking victim service organization” means a nongovernmental organization or entity that provides shelter, program, or other support services to victims of human trafficking and their children and that does all of the following:
(1) Employs staff that meet the requirements of a human trafficking caseworker as set forth in this section.
(2) Operates a telephone hotline, advertised to the public, for survivor crisis calls.
(3) Offers psychological support and peer counseling provided in accordance with this section.
(4) Makes staff available during normal business hours to assist victims of human trafficking who need shelter, programs, or other support services.
(e) “Victim” means a person who consults a human trafficking caseworker for the purpose of securing advice or assistance concerning a mental, physical, emotional, or other condition related to their experience as a victim of human trafficking.
(Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 370, Sec. 114. (SB 1371) Effective January 1, 2021.)