Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025
Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 **What the bill does:** This legislation would extend and fund federal programs that combat human trafficking and help victims through 2029. It reauthorizes existing initiatives including the National Human Trafficking Hotline, public awareness campaigns, and victim support services. The bill also creates a new employment and education program specifically for trafficking survivors. Additionally, it continues International Megan's Law, which requires sex offenders to notify authorities about international travel. **Who it affects:** The bill directly benefits trafficking victims by ensuring continued access to support services, housing assistance, and new educational/employment opportunities.
It also impacts federal agencies (primarily the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice) responsible for administering these programs, as well as organizations that partner with the government to provide victim services. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 2961 in the 119th Congress), meaning it has been introduced but not yet voted on by the full House. It was sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ).
CRS Official Summary
Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025This bill reauthorizes certain programs and activities that promote awareness of human trafficking and support victims. The bill also establishes a new program to support victims of trafficking.Specifically, this bill reauthorizes through FY2029programs and activities at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to promote awareness of trafficking and strengthen services for victims, including the National Human Trafficking Hotline and cybersecurity and public education campaigns; Department of Justice grants to support trafficking victims inside the United States, including amounts for housing assistance grants; andInternational Megan’s Law, which requires sex offenders to provide certain information about their intended travel outside of the United States, among other provisions.The bill also authorizes HHS to carry out a new program—the Human Trafficking Survivors Employment and Education Program—to help victims of trafficking integrate or reintegrate into society.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.