Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022
Jan 5, 2023
Statute: 136 Stat. 6211
Became law: Jan 5, 2023
Jan 5, 2023
Statute: 136 Stat. 6211
Became law: Jan 5, 2023
Summary
Continues funding for programs that fight human trafficking, protect victims, especially young people, and punish those responsible for these crimes.
What problem does this solve?
Programs to fight human trafficking and help survivors were set to expire, leaving vulnerable people, especially children, without needed support. This law provides new funding and updates for these programs, ensuring that efforts to stop trafficking and care for victims can continue.
What does this law do?
Extends funding for anti-trafficking programs
Authorizes funding through fiscal year 2028 for various programs under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, ensuring their continuation.
Funds collaboration between child welfare and juvenile justice
Creates competitive grants for state agencies to work together, share data, and develop better ways to help 'dual status youth' who are involved in both systems.
Requires anti-trafficking training for federal employees
Mandates that all federal executive branch employees receive training to recognize, report, and prevent human trafficking. They must also sign a code of conduct prohibiting trafficking.
Creates a pilot program for high-risk youth
Starts a new program to fund community organizations that provide housing, counseling, and other support for young people at high risk of being trafficked, like those leaving foster care.
Funds research on social media and trafficking
Directs the National Science Foundation to support research on how social media platforms are used to enable human trafficking and to develop tools to help law enforcement fight it.
Who does this affect?
- Victims and survivors of human trafficking
- State child welfare and juvenile justice agencies
- Federal government employees and contractors
What is the real world impact?
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Continues support for trafficking victims
Provides ongoing funding for grants and programs that help survivors of human trafficking, ensuring they have access to services like housing, counseling, and legal aid.
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Strengthens government accountability
Requires federal agencies to train employees on identifying and reporting trafficking, and holds government contractors to higher standards to prevent forced labor in their supply chains.
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Addresses gaps in data and reporting
Highlights that the Department of Justice has failed to submit required reports on trafficking data, which could hinder efforts to understand and combat the problem effectively.
When does this start?
This law takes effect on January 5, 2023, but includes several different deadlines for reports and policy changes.
Report on federal supply chain oversight
The Comptroller General must submit a report on federal supply chain oversight to prevent human trafficking by June 1, 2024.
Federal employee anti-trafficking policy
The policy for federal employees must be established within 18 months of enactment, and all personnel must sign it within 2 years.
Study on mental health services for survivors
The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study and report to Congress on the accessibility of mental health services for trafficking survivors within 3 years of enactment.