115 HR 4708 : Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II 115th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 4708 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 16, 2018ReceivedAN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue Department of Homeland Security-wide guidance and develop training programs as part of the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act.

2.

Enhanced department of homeland security coordination through the blue campaign

(a)

In general

Subtitle C of title IV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 231 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

434.

Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign

(a)

Definition

In this section, the term human trafficking means an act or practice described in paragraph (9) or (10) of section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102). (b)

Establishment

There is established within the Department a program, which shall be known as the Blue Campaign. The Blue Campaign shall be headed by a Director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary. (c)

Purpose

The purpose of the Blue Campaign shall be to unify and coordinate Department efforts to address human trafficking. (d)

Responsibilities

The Secretary, working through the Director, shall, in accordance with subsection (e)— (1)issue Department-wide guidance to appropriate Department personnel; (2)develop training programs for such personnel; (3)coordinate departmental efforts, including training for such personnel; and (4)provide guidance and training on trauma-informed practices to ensure that human trafficking victims are afforded prompt access to victim support service providers, in addition to the assistance required under section 107 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7105), to address their immediate and long-term needs. (e)

Guidance and training

The Blue Campaign shall provide guidance and training to Department personnel and other Federal, State, tribal, and law enforcement personnel, as appropriate, regarding— (1)programs to help identify instances of human trafficking; (2)the types of information that should be collected and recorded in information technology systems utilized by the Department to help identify individuals suspected or convicted of human trafficking; (3)systematic and routine information sharing within the Department and among Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies regarding— (A)individuals suspected or convicted of human trafficking; and (B)patterns and practices of human trafficking; (4)techniques to identify suspected victims of trafficking along the United States border and at airport security checkpoints; (5)methods to be used by the Transportation Security Administration and personnel from other appropriate agencies to— (A)train employees of the Transportation Security Administration to identify suspected victims of trafficking; and (B)serve as a liaison and resource regarding human trafficking prevention to appropriate State, local, and private sector aviation workers and the traveling public; (6)utilizing resources, such as indicator cards, fact sheets, pamphlets, posters, brochures, and radio and television campaigns to— (A)educate partners and stakeholders; and (B)increase public awareness of human trafficking; (7)leveraging partnerships with State and local governmental, nongovernmental, and private sector organizations to raise public awareness of human trafficking; and (8)any other activities the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the Blue Campaign.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 433 the following new item: Sec. 434. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign..

3.

Information technology systems

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure, in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security-wide guidance required under section 434(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 2 of this Act, the integration of information technology systems utilized within the Department to record and track information regarding individuals suspected or convicted of human trafficking (as such term is defined in such section).

4.

Report

Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report that— (1)describes the status and effectiveness of the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign under section 434 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 2 of this Act; and (2)provides a recommendation regarding the appropriate office within the Department of Homeland Security for the Blue Campaign.

5.

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated $819,000 to carry out section 434 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 2.

Passed the House of Representatives January 11, 2018.Karen L. Haas,Clerk