2017 Federal Advocacy — 115th Congress (2017-2018)

Amends existing human trafficking law to specify that the use of drugs or illegal substances to cause a person to engage in a commercial sex act or forced labor constitutes a form of coercion. The bill also contains a provision to protect trafficking victims from prosecution, recognizing that victims are often forced to commit crimes.
S. 2429
HR 5027

Establishes under DHS a database of HT cases; directs federal, state and local LE to enter case info; hinges COPS funding on compliance with data contribution requirement.

Allows courts to order the posting of names and photos of defendants convicted of trafficking offenses

Clarifies that countries that do not criminalize the purchase of sex cannot meet the demand reduction criteria in the TIP report assessment.

Codifies HHS training program for health care professionals and provides funding

See the Senate Version of the Bill S256

Establishes office in IRS to investigate suspected trafficking, CSE; allows victims to claim whistleblowing awards; increases penalties for tax evasion based on illegal profits of trafficking and CSE; increases funding for victim

Lowers the “clean record” period for juveniles from 25 to 15 years and improves tracking of juveniles required to register following a delinquency adjudication v. adult prosecution; extends the SoL for sex trafficking victims w/disabilities from 3 to 10 years after the disability ends.

Allows DOS to use cash rewards program to help bring traffickers to justice by amending the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to include “severe forms of trafficking” humans as part of transnational organized crime.

Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (JJDPA) to modify and reauthorize juvenile justice programs and activities.

Establishes tools to inhibit traffickers’ ability to use consumer banking and facilitates collection of evidence to reduce reliance on victim testimony

See the Senate Version S952

Authorizes funding for HT training programs for educators and students

Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (JJDPA) to modify and reauthorize juvenile justice programs and activities.

Provides training to prosecutors on investigating and processing cases with a trauma-informed and victim-centered approach, and encourages states to provide appropriate services to victims of trafficking. The bill also calls for reports on the implementation of state safe harbor provisions and on how to improve mandatory restitution procedures for victims of trafficking in federal courts.

Hinges federal funding for state and local law enforcement entities on implementation of demand reduction efforts.