[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 13, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S202-S209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. ISAKSON (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Alexander, Ms. 
        Ayotte, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Crapo, Ms. Collins, Mr. Enzi, Mrs. 
        Fischer, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Kaine, Mr. King, Ms. 
        Klobuchar, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Manchin, Mr. McCain, Ms. 
        Murkowski, Mr. Perdue, Mr. Portman, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Warner, Mr. 
        Johnson, and Ms. Heitkamp):
  S. 150. A bill to provide for a biennial budget process and a 
biennial appropriations process and to enhance oversight and the 
performance of the Federal Government; to the Committee on the Budget.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I am very pleased to announce today that 
the biennial budget proposal introduced by Senators Isakson and Shaheen 
has been dropped. There are 21 cosponsors, 15 Republicans, 6 Democrats, 
and 1 Independent, and the number is growing as we speak.
  Senator Shaheen and I started this initiative 2 years ago and it 
received 68 votes and a test vote on the budget in 2013. We believe it 
will receive the necessary votes to become the law of the land in the 
United States of America.
  You might ask why a biennial budget or you might ask yourself why an 
$18 trillion debt and why hundreds of billions of dollars in deficit. 
We don't have the oversight necessary with the spending that we do now 
to keep us from wasting money. It is time we ran our country like we 
run our home. It is time we held our agencies accountable. It is time 
our appropriations weren't just idle promises but our oversight was the 
rule of law in the United States Senate.
  Twenty States out of fifty in the United States have biennial 
budgets. Countries around the world have biennial budgets. This 
Congress 3 years ago did a biennial budget for the Veterans' 
Administration just to ensure we wouldn't have a break in funding if 
the government shut down. Predictability of funding of government is 
critical, but the oversight of that funding is more critical.
  Picture this. You get elected in an even-numbered year, 2014. Your 
first order of business in 2015 is to pass a 2-year appropriations act 
and a 2-year budget. But then in the even-numbered year that comes up 
when you are running for reelection, your job is not spending, your job 
is oversight. Wouldn't it be nice, instead of going home and promising 
you are bringing home the bacon, instead you are bringing home the 
savings to see to it that taxpayers' money is better spent?
  The biennial budget is an idea whose time has come. It is the only 
way we are going to measurably and sustainably reduce the deficits and 
reduce the debt in the United States of America and hold our spending 
more accountable.
  Just last night on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, 
the Clay bill was passed on suicide prevention, a new program in the 
VA, and the funding mechanism was existing funds and fungibility. We 
already know there is existing money in the appropriations to our 
agencies to pay for new ideas if we charge them to go find them. Some 
of the measures we have been funding for 40 or 50 years probably don't 
need to be done anymore and some of the things we are not doing 
probably need to be done. But the way to do it is not to spend more 
money and throw more money at the problem, but the way to do it is to 
do it the way the American taxpayers do it back home--sit around the 
kitchen table, set their priorities, make their funding predictable, 
and from time to time go back and look at where they are spending money 
and see if they can't improve it. This is an idea that will make 
America great.
  Senator Shaheen is a former Governor of the State of New Hampshire. 
She had a biennial budget process in her State, and I wish to yield to 
her to describe her cosponsorship of this bill.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire.
  Mrs. SHAHEEN. I thank the Presiding Officer and I thank my colleague 
Senator Isakson, and I am pleased to join him on the floor today as we 
reintroduce this bipartisan legislation, the Biennial Budgeting and 
Appropriations Act. I want to start by recognizing the good work of 
Senator Isakson because he started working on this issue when he came 
to the Senate in 2005, and he has introduced this legislation in every 
Congress since then. I have been pleased to be able to join him in the 
last two Congresses.
  I think we have an opportunity in this Congress to pass this 
commonsense bipartisan reform. As Senator Isakson pointed out, there is 
no question that the budget process in Washington is broken. Since 1980 
there have been only two budgets that have been finished on time, 
according to the process. In that timeframe Congress has resorted to 
more than 150 short-term funding bills or continuing resolutions, and 
we all remember what it was like when the government shut down in 
October of 2013. It cost the economy $24 billion. It hurt small 
business. It hurt people across this country. That is no way to govern.
  While we have made significant progress to reduce deficits in recent 
years, we need a new way to do business in Washington. Biennial 
budgeting won't fix everything, but as Senator Isakson said, it is an 
important reform that will allow us to work across the aisle not only 
to make more sense of the budget process but to be better stewards of 
taxpayer dollars.
  We know that biennial budgeting works. I can attest to that 
personally, coming from the State of New Hampshire where we have a 
biennial budget. I served three terms as Governor. We were able in each 
of those bienniums to pass a budget that was balanced, that allowed us 
to get the budget done in the first year of the election cycle and in 
the second year to be able to have oversight. It works in New 
Hampshire, it works in 20 States around the country, and it can work in 
Washington.
  Biennial budgeting offers a better process that encourages us to work 
together to pass budgets on time and to use taxpayer dollars more 
efficiently. As Senator Isakson says, in the first year congressional 
agencies would put together a 2-year budget. In the second year 
Congress would have time to conduct oversight to give agencies the 
ability to focus on achieving their missions.
  As we all know, there are regular reports from the Government 
Accountability Office, GAO, that identify areas of waste, fraud, and 
duplicative programs within government.
  For example, they have identified ways to reform the farm programs, 
to cut down on inefficiencies in defense, to reduce fraud in health 
programs, but the current budget process doesn't provide an effective 
mechanism to regularly review GAO's recommendations.
  Under my annual budgeting, we would be able to take a close look at

[[Page S203]]

those recommendations to implement savings in the second year which 
will allow us to figure out how we can more effectively provide 
programs to the American people and eliminate those that don't work and 
support those that do.
  As we said, in 2013 we had a very strong vote with 68 Senators voting 
to endorse the concept of biannual budgeting. It was a very strong 
bipartisan vote. A similar biannual budget bill passed the House last 
year with a bipartisan bill vote. It is clear the momentum is growing 
for this concept because people understand we have to do something to 
reform our budget process.
  The bill we are introducing today has 22 bipartisan cosponsors. I 
know we are both working to get more bipartisan sponsors on the bill, 
and we think we have a great shot, with support from this body, to pass 
biannual budgeting. We think there is support in the House to do that, 
and I look forward to working with Senator Isakson and my colleagues in 
the Senate to get this done.
  Mr. ISAKSON. I thank the Senator for her support, and I urge the 
other Members of the Senate to join us in this reform effort for the 
spending of the taxpayer's dollars.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. ROBERTS (for himself, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Blunt, 
        Mr. Coats, Mr. Crapo, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Hatch, 
        Mr. Isakson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Rubio, Mr. 
        Sessions, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Tillis, and Mr. Toomey):
  S. 168. A bill to codify and modify regulatory requirements of 
Federal agencies; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. ROBERTS. I rise today to talk about a problem that affects 
virtually every American, and that would be government regulations; to 
be more accurate, government overregulation.
  Let me point out something. In 2014, the administration issued 3,541 
rules in 1 year. That cost $181 billion. The first week of this new 
year brought us 35 new rules which added another 1,326 pages to the 
Federal Register. I would urge people back home in the business 
community or any other endeavor in which they are bothered by 
regulations to read the Federal Register as opposed to the 
Congressional Record. The Congressional Record deals with natural gas. 
The Federal Register deals with facts and regulations.
  Yet just last night we learned that President Obama has threatened to 
veto a significant regulatory reform proposal now being considered by 
the House of Representatives. It is interesting to me that the 
President is now threatening to veto his own ideas. Back in January of 
2011, President Obama issued an Executive Order. It was entitled 
``Improve Regulation and Regulatory Review.'' That is in quotes. 
Unfortunately, despite claims otherwise, the Executive order has 
largely been ignored.
  My bill takes this order and gives it the force of law. My bill would 
require that all regulations put forth by the current and future 
administrations consider the economic burden on American businesses and 
ensure stakeholder input during the regulatory process, thus promoting 
innovation and new jobs.
  Just as the President said in his order, this egregious assault on 
our economy must stop; it must end.
  Like many of my colleagues, I have had a longstanding concern with 
the regulatory process. Like other States, from every corner of Kansas, 
the No. 1 topic of concern for all businesses, including agriculture, 
energy, small shops on Main Street, healthcare, education, lending--
virtually every enterprise is harmed by overly burdensome and costly 
regulations. Whether it is the EPA'S Waters of the United States 
proposed rule or listing of the infamous lesser prairie chicken as an 
endangered species, the public is losing faith in our government.
  Obamacare is a prime example of this administration's vast regulatory 
overreach. The bill, as signed into law by the President, as most of us 
know, was no short read. It was over 2,000 pages. But as the rollout 
continues, the administration has now expanded Obamacare into over 
24,000 pages of regulations in the Federal Register.
  Here is one example of the overly intrusive regulations this 
administration used the Affordable Health Care Act to implement. It is 
Health and Human Services' mandate requiring religious institutions to 
provide insurance coverage for contraceptives and emergency 
contraceptives.
  Last year the U.S. Supreme Court had to intervene and determine that 
the HHS mandate placed an excessive burden on the religious freedom of 
owners of family business.
  Regrettably, costly and intrusive regulations are not limited to HHS 
and Obamacare and CMS and all of those regulations. Not to be outdone 
by HHS, the Environmental Protection Agency has its own set of overly 
burdensome regulations.
  Let's take the proposed Waters of the United States rule. For 
example, as the distinguished Senator from Arkansas knows, this 
proposal has caused a firestorm of opposition all throughout farm 
country. The EPA claims that the proposed Waters of the United States 
rule simply clarifies their scope of jurisdiction.
  Well, therein lies the problem.
  Farmers and ranchers do not believe it. I don't believe it. They fear 
the rule would allow the EPA to further expand its control of private 
property under the guise of the Clean Water Act.
  If finalized, this rule could have the EPA requiring a permit for 
ordinary field work, construction of a fence, or even planting crops 
near certain waters.
  Kansans are justifiably worried the permits would be time consuming, 
costly, and that the EPA could ultimate deny the permits, even for 
longstanding and normal cropping practices.
  This is another prime example of why many Kansans feel their way of 
life is under attack by the Federal Government's overreach and 
overregulation. Simply put, they feel ruled, not governed.
  Let's not forget the burdensome carbon regulations now being proposed 
by the EPA. Over the last 6 years, this administration's EPA has 
pursued an agenda that can only be described as a war on fossil fuels 
and coal.
  Just last week, in fact, the EPA announced that by June of this year 
it would finalize carbon reduction rules for both new and existing 
powerplants. That is going to be a move that will drive up the energy 
cost for all Kansans, all Americans, hoping to heat their homes during 
extremely cold winters or hot summers such as the ones we are 
experiencing now.
  This decision, which the EPA itself admitted would do nothing to 
reduce global temperature if similar plans are not adopted by Russia, 
China, India and Brazil, will have unbelievable costs. According to a 
recent study about the American Action Forum which cites the 
administration's own estimates these rules are anticipated to cost 
industry $8.8 billion to comply. That translates into a 6-percent rise 
in electricity prices. Sadly, these regulations will hurt low-income 
individuals the most--folks who can least afford it and who spend a 
greater percentage of their income to heat their homes and feed their 
families.
  Now let's look at what the Department of Labor is trying to do with 
President Obama's pen-and-paper dictates. Currently the Department of 
Labor has a regulation to eliminate the companion care exemption put 
forth by this body 40 years ago. This important exemption allows 
seniors and the disabled community access to affordable in-home care. 
If eliminated, those who need in-home care the most, and their 
families, would be forced to determine which hours are the most crucial 
in the day they receive assistance. In addition, caregivers who 
currently work over 40 hours would see their hours and paychecks cut 
because of this rule.
  As the Department of Labor issued this rule and geared up for 
implementation on January 1 of this year, benefit recipients, 
individual States, and Members of this Chamber stood together to shine 
a light on the negative effects this would have on communities all 
across the Nation.
  At the same time, a judge issued a partial determination on this 
regulation, and he stated the following:

       The fact that the Department issued its Notice of Proposed 
     Rulemaking after all six of these bills failed to move is 
     nothing short of yet another thinly-veiled effort to do 
     through regulation what could not be done

[[Page S204]]

     through legislation. Such conduct bespeaks an arrogance to 
     not only disregard Congress's intent but seize unprecedented 
     authority to impose overtime and minimum wage requirements in 
     defiance of the plain language of Section 213. It cannot 
     stand.

  My legislation addresses these abuses. Far too often the good 
intentions of regulations lead to job loss and red-tape that strangles 
business. Worse still, the agenda of bureaucrats drives bad policies 
and stifles economy.
  I have a solution. My comprehensive bill requires agencies to promote 
economic growth and job creation by ensuring the benefits outweigh the 
cost of regulations. It is as simple as that.
  We need to be listening to the folks as well who have to live with 
and pay for the effects of these rules. I am hearing from stakeholders 
that they are weighing the time and expense of responding to 
regulations against the fact that this administration keeps giving them 
the minimum allowable time and then doesn't even consider their input. 
Bottom line, fewer Americans are bothering to participate in the 
comment period process.
  Stakeholder input is crucial and needs to be considered. Right now, 
time varies on how long the comment period stays open. Sometimes it is 
as little as 2 weeks. My bill would ensure the period stay open for at 
least 60 days. My colleagues, as we all well know, sometimes the people 
who are most affected by these rules don't even know they are subject 
to the changes.
  My bill would mandate that agencies provide warnings, appropriate 
default rules, and disclosure requirements to the public. Right now, 
just the opposite takes place. The administration skirts stakeholder 
input by issuing interim final rules--called IFRs--and they become 
effective immediately upon publication. My bill allows delay of 
implementation if that rule is challenged in court and until the court 
makes a decision. All too often new regulations are proposed and 
finalized while existing regulations are not being enforced.
  I have heard from a lot of folks in Kansas that the problems these 
new regulations claim to fix could be solved if the current regulations 
were properly monitored. Simply put, the solution is not more rules and 
regulations; it is considering the existing ones.
  My bill mandates an ongoing review of regulatory actions to identify 
those outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome 
rules--or, as the President himself once put it, ``rules that are just 
plain dumb''--and allows agencies to streamline, expand, or repeal 
those regulations.
  We need regulatory reform. My bill codifies the President's Executive 
order while closing the loopholes and gives it the rule of law. I do 
not know how the President could disagree with that.
  The U.S. Chamber, the National Federation of Independent Business, 
the Farm Bureau, and the Competitive Enterprise Institute have all 
endorsed my bill.
  Last year I had 35 cosponsors. We have about thirteen. I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation and stay engaged as this process 
continues.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. LEAHY:
  S. 169. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to disallow 
any deduction for punitive damages, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Finance.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation that 
will close a tax loophole that allows companies to write off the 
punishment they receive for corporate wrongdoing. Under current law, a 
corporation or individual business owner may deduct the cost of court-
ordered punitive damages paid to victims as an ``ordinary'' business 
expense. For the victims of extreme corporate misconduct, there is 
nothing ordinary about this. It is simply wrong. This tax loophole 
allows corporations to wreak havoc and then write it off as a cost of 
doing business. That undermines the whole point of punitive damages.
  Punitive damage awards are designed to punish the wrongdoers and to 
correct dangerous or unfair practices. These awards are reserved for 
the most extreme and harmful misconduct. Sadly, our country's history 
is replete with examples of serious corporate misconduct that resulted 
in injury and death to American citizens, but through our civil justice 
system and the thoughtful deliberations of our Nations' juries, this 
misconduct is not only punishable by assessing punitive damages, it has 
led to broad changes to improve the safety and security of American 
consumers. Unfortunately, our current tax laws shield the worst 
corporate misconduct. The No Tax Write-Offs for Corporate Wrongdoers 
Act would change that by making a simple fix to our tax code.
  In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded and 11 Americans 
were killed in the worst oil spill in American history. That same year, 
an explosion in the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia claimed the 
lives of 29 miners. In 2009 and 2010, Toyota recalled more than 10 
million vehicles because of a faulty acceleration system that has been 
linked to at least 31 accidents and 12 deaths, and recently admitted to 
misleading the public about these dangers. Let us also not forget 
Exxon's misconduct in 1989, which led to an ecological and human 
disaster that affects Alaskans even today. Vermonters and all Americans 
deserve to have companies such as these held accountable for their 
actions. Why should hard-working taxpayers subsidize corporations who 
deserve to be punished?
  In 1994, a jury awarded $5 billion in punitive damages against Exxon 
for its actions which caused the Valdez spill that devastated an entire 
region, the livelihoods of its people, and destroyed a way of life. The 
role of the jury is enshrined in our Constitution, and nothing is more 
fundamental to the American justice system than our trust in the 
judgment of those who serve on them. Rather than accept this reality, 
Exxon paid its cadre of lawyers to fight the jury's measure of 
accountability all the way to the Supreme Court. In 2008, after 14 
years of appeals, an activist majority on the Court invented a novel 
rule and held that in maritime cases, punitive damage awards could not 
exceed twice the amount of compensatory damages, reducing Exxon's 
punitive damages to $500 million. Adding insult to injury to the 
victims of the oil spill, Exxon was then able to use the federal tax 
code to write-off the punitive damages as an ``ordinary'' business 
expense. This is not how the system should work and it is long past 
time for Congress to fix it.
  I have previously supported legislation by Senator Whitehouse to 
overturn the Supreme Court's decision in Exxon, and I am disappointed 
that not a single Republican joined this commonsense effort. If we 
cannot get bipartisan support to ensure corporations pay the highest 
possible price for actions that cause serious harm to health and public 
safety, I hope we can at least agree that American taxpayers should not 
have to subsidize their misconduct once a jury has determined they 
should be punished.
  The Obama administration requested eliminating this tax deduction in 
its 2014 budget proposal. The Joint Committee on Taxation has estimated 
that ending this deduction loophole will result in increased revenues 
of $355 million over 10 years. Members who have devoted so much of 
their focus to reducing the Federal deficit should support my 
legislation. Anyone who cares about protecting consumers should agree 
that extreme corporate misconduct should not be treated in our tax code 
simply as a cost of doing business.
  Right now, the new Republican majority in Congress is pushing 
legislation to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. Despite being billed 
as the safest pipeline in history, the existing Keystone pipeline has 
spilled 12 times in its first year of operation. This has a familiar 
ring: Before the Valdez spill in Alaska, Exxon executives told us their 
oil tankers were safe. I do not support Congress bypassing the 
environmental appeal process to fast-track further construction of the 
Keystone pipeline, which poses considerable safety and environmental 
risks. But anyone who does want this pipeline should at a minimum 
consider the communities and families who would be affected by its 
construction, and in the event of a spill, they should make sure 
taxpayers are not subsidizing the damage. This speaks to our basic 
notions of justice and fair play.
  I hope all Senators will join me to end tax write-offs for corporate 
wrongdoers. When companies can write off a

[[Page S205]]

significant portion of the financial impact of punitive damages, the 
incentives in our justice system that promote responsible business 
practices lose their force. Corporate misconduct should no longer be 
treated as a cost of doing business.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Kirk, 
        Mr. Hatch, Mr. Graham, Mr. Coons, Mr. Udall, Mr. Coats, Mr. 
        Crapo, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Casey, and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 178. A bill to provide justice for the victims of trafficking; to 
the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 178

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Justice 
     for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Domestic trafficking victims' fund.
Sec. 3. Official recognition of American victims of human trafficking.
Sec. 4. Victim-centered child human trafficking deterrence block grant 
              program.
Sec. 5. Direct services for victims of child pornography.
Sec. 6. Increasing compensation and restitution for trafficking 
              victims.
Sec. 7. Streamlining human trafficking investigations.
Sec. 8. Enhancing human trafficking reporting.
Sec. 9. Reducing demand for sex trafficking.
Sec. 10. Using existing task forces and components to target offenders 
              who exploit children.
Sec. 11. Targeting child predators.
Sec. 12. Monitoring all human traffickers as violent criminals.
Sec. 13. Crime victims' rights.
Sec. 14. Combat Human Trafficking Act.
Sec. 15. Grant accountability.

     SEC. 2. DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING VICTIMS' FUND.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 201 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 3014. Additional special assessment

       ``(a) In General.--In addition to the assessment imposed 
     under section 3013, the court shall assess an amount of 
     $5,000 on any non-indigent person or entity convicted of an 
     offense under--
       ``(1) chapter 77 (relating to peonage, slavery, and 
     trafficking in persons);
       ``(2) chapter 109A (relating to sexual abuse);
       ``(3) chapter 110 (relating to sexual exploitation and 
     other abuse of children);
       ``(4) chapter 117 (relating to transportation for illegal 
     sexual activity and related crimes); or
       ``(5) section 274 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1324) (relating to human smuggling), unless the person 
     induced, assisted, abetted, or aided only an individual who 
     at the time of such action was the alien's spouse, parent, 
     son, or daughter (and no other individual) to enter the 
     United States in violation of law.
       ``(b) Satisfaction of Other Court-ordered Obligations.--An 
     assessment under subsection (a) shall not be payable until 
     the person subject to the assessment has satisfied all 
     outstanding court-ordered fines and orders of restitution 
     arising from the criminal convictions on which the special 
     assessment is based.
       ``(c) Establishment of Domestic Trafficking Victims' 
     Fund.--There is established in the Treasury of the United 
     States a fund, to be known as the `Domestic Trafficking 
     Victims' Fund' (referred to in this section as the `Fund'), 
     to be administered by the Attorney General, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of 
     Health and Human Services.
       ``(d) Deposits.--Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, 
     or any other law regarding the crediting of money received 
     for the Government, there shall be deposited in the Fund an 
     amount equal to the amount of the assessments collected under 
     this section, which shall remain available until expended.
       ``(e) Use of Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--From amounts in the Fund, in addition to 
     any other amounts available, and without further 
     appropriation, the Attorney General, in coordination with the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, for each of 
     fiscal years 2016 through 2020, use amounts available in the 
     Fund to award grants or enhance victims' programming under--
       ``(A) sections 202, 203, and 204 of the Trafficking Victims 
     Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 14044a, 
     14044b, and 14044c);
       ``(B) subsections (b)(2) and (f) of section 107 of the 
     Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7105); 
     and
       ``(C) section 214(b) of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 
     1990 (42 U.S.C. 13002(b)).
       ``(2) Grants.--Of the amounts in the Fund used under 
     paragraph (1), not less than $2,000,000 shall be used for 
     grants to provide services for child pornography victims 
     under section 214(b) of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 
     1990 (42 U.S.C. 13002(b)).
       ``(3) Limitations.--Amounts in the Fund, or otherwise 
     transferred from the Fund, shall be subject to the 
     limitations on the use or expending of amounts described in 
     sections 506 and 507 of division H of the Consolidated 
     Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76; 128 Stat. 409) 
     to the same extent as if amounts in the Fund were funds 
     appropriated under division H of such Act.
       ``(f) Transfers.--
       ``(1) In general.--Effective on the day after the date of 
     enactment of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 
     2015, on September 30 of each fiscal year, all unobligated 
     balances in the Fund shall be transferred to the Crime 
     Victims Fund established under section 1402 of the Victims of 
     Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601).
       ``(2) Availability.--Amounts transferred under paragraph 
     (1)--
       ``(A) shall be available for any authorized purpose of the 
     Crime Victims Fund; and
       ``(B) shall remain available until expended.
       ``(g) Collection Method.--The amount assessed under 
     subsection (a) shall, subject to subsection (b), be collected 
     in the manner that fines are collected in criminal cases.
       ``(h) Duration of Obligation.--The obligation to pay an 
     assessment imposed on or after the date of enactment of the 
     Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 shall not 
     cease until the assessment is paid in full.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of 
     sections for chapter 201 of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3013 
     the following:

``3014. Additional special assessment.''.

     SEC. 3. OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF AMERICAN VICTIMS OF HUMAN 
                   TRAFFICKING.

       Section 107 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 
     2000 (22 U.S.C. 7105) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (f) (as originally 
     enacted), as subsection (h); and
       (2) in subsection (f) (as added by section 213(a)(1) of the 
     William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection 
     Reauthorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-457)), by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(4) Official recognition of american victims of human 
     trafficking.--
       ``(A) In general.--Upon receiving credible information that 
     establishes, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a 
     covered individual is a victim of a severe form of 
     trafficking and at the request of the covered individual, the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services shall promptly issue a 
     determination that the covered individual is a victim of a 
     severe form of trafficking. The Secretary shall have 
     exclusive authority to make such a determination.
       ``(B) Covered individual defined.--In this subsection, the 
     term `covered individual' means--
       ``(i) a citizen of the United States; or
       ``(ii) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence 
     (as defined in section 101(20) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(20))).
       ``(C) Procedure.--For purposes of this paragraph, in 
     determining whether a covered individual has provided 
     credible information that the covered individual is a victim 
     of a severe form of trafficking, the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services shall consider all relevant and credible 
     evidence, and if appropriate, consult with the Attorney 
     General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Secretary 
     of Labor.
       ``(D) Presumptive evidence.--For purposes of this 
     paragraph, the following forms of evidence shall receive 
     deference in determining whether a covered individual has 
     established that the covered individual is a victim of a 
     severe form of trafficking:
       ``(i) A sworn statement by the covered individual or a 
     representative of the covered individual if the covered 
     individual is present at the time of such statement but not 
     able to competently make such sworn statement.
       ``(ii) Police, government agency, or court records or 
     files.
       ``(iii) Documentation from a social services, trafficking, 
     or domestic violence program, child welfare or runaway and 
     homeless youth program, or a legal, clinical, medical, or 
     other professional from whom the covered individual has 
     sought assistance in dealing with the crime.
       ``(iv) A statement from any other individual with knowledge 
     of the circumstances that provided the basis for the claim.
       ``(v) Physical evidence.
       ``(E) Regulations required.--Not later than 18 months after 
     the date of enactment of the Justice for Victims of 
     Trafficking Act of 2015, the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services shall adopt regulations to implement this paragraph.
       ``(F) Rule of construction; official recognition 
     optional.--Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to 
     require a covered individual to obtain a determination under 
     this paragraph in order to be defined or classified as a 
     victim of a severe form of trafficking under this section.''.

[[Page S206]]

     SEC. 4. VICTIM-CENTERED CHILD HUMAN TRAFFICKING DETERRENCE 
                   BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 203 of the Trafficking Victims 
     Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 14044b) is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 203. VICTIM-CENTERED CHILD HUMAN TRAFFICKING 
                   DETERRENCE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Grants Authorized.--The Attorney General may award 
     block grants to an eligible entity to develop, improve, or 
     expand domestic child human trafficking deterrence programs 
     that assist law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judicial 
     officials, and qualified victims' services organizations in 
     collaborating to rescue and restore the lives of victims, 
     while investigating and prosecuting offenses involving child 
     human trafficking.
       ``(b) Authorized Activities.--Grants awarded under 
     subsection (a) may be used for--
       ``(1) the establishment or enhancement of specialized 
     training programs for law enforcement officers, first 
     responders, health care officials, child welfare officials, 
     juvenile justice personnel, prosecutors, and judicial 
     personnel to--
       ``(A) identify victims and acts of child human trafficking;
       ``(B) address the unique needs of child victims of human 
     trafficking;
       ``(C) facilitate the rescue of child victims of human 
     trafficking;
       ``(D) investigate and prosecute acts of human trafficking, 
     including the soliciting, patronizing, or purchasing of 
     commercial sex acts from children, as well as training to 
     build cases against complex criminal networks involved in 
     child human trafficking;
       ``(E) use laws that prohibit acts of child human 
     trafficking, child sexual abuse, and child rape, and to 
     assist in the development of State and local laws to 
     prohibit, investigate, and prosecute acts of child human 
     trafficking; and
       ``(F) implement and provide education on safe harbor laws 
     enacted by States, aimed at preventing the criminalization 
     and prosecution of child sex trafficking victims for 
     prostitution offenses;
       ``(2) the establishment or enhancement of dedicated anti-
     trafficking law enforcement units and task forces to 
     investigate child human trafficking offenses and to rescue 
     victims, including--
       ``(A) funding salaries, in whole or in part, for law 
     enforcement officers, including patrol officers, detectives, 
     and investigators, except that the percentage of the salary 
     of the law enforcement officer paid for by funds from a grant 
     awarded under this section shall not be more than the 
     percentage of the officer's time on duty that is dedicated to 
     working on cases involving child human trafficking;
       ``(B) investigation expenses for cases involving child 
     human trafficking, including--
       ``(i) wire taps;
       ``(ii) consultants with expertise specific to cases 
     involving child human trafficking;
       ``(iii) travel; and
       ``(iv) other technical assistance expenditures;
       ``(C) dedicated anti-trafficking prosecution units, 
     including the funding of salaries for State and local 
     prosecutors, including assisting in paying trial expenses for 
     prosecution of child human trafficking offenders, except that 
     the percentage of the total salary of a State or local 
     prosecutor that is paid using an award under this section 
     shall be not more than the percentage of the total number of 
     hours worked by the prosecutor that is spent working on cases 
     involving child human trafficking;
       ``(D) the establishment of child human trafficking victim 
     witness safety, assistance, and relocation programs that 
     encourage cooperation with law enforcement investigations of 
     crimes of child human trafficking by leveraging existing 
     resources and delivering child human trafficking victims' 
     services through coordination with--
       ``(i) child advocacy centers;
       ``(ii) social service agencies;
       ``(iii) State governmental health service agencies;
       ``(iv) housing agencies;
       ``(v) legal services agencies; and
       ``(vi) non-governmental organizations and shelter service 
     providers with substantial experience in delivering wrap-
     around services to victims of child human trafficking; and
       ``(E) the establishment or enhancement of other necessary 
     victim assistance programs or personnel, such as victim or 
     child advocates, child-protective services, child forensic 
     interviews, or other necessary service providers; and
       ``(3) the establishment or enhancement of problem solving 
     court programs for trafficking victims that include--
       ``(A) mandatory and regular training requirements for 
     judicial officials involved in the administration or 
     operation of the court program described under this 
     paragraph;
       ``(B) continuing judicial supervision of victims of child 
     human trafficking who have been identified by a law 
     enforcement or judicial officer as a potential victim of 
     child human trafficking, regardless of whether the victim has 
     been charged with a crime related to human trafficking;
       ``(C) the development of a specialized and individualized, 
     court-ordered treatment program for identified victims of 
     child human trafficking, including--
       ``(i) State-administered outpatient treatment;
       ``(ii) life skills training;
       ``(iii) housing placement;
       ``(iv) vocational training;
       ``(v) education;
       ``(vi) family support services; and
       ``(vii) job placement;
       ``(D) centralized case management involving the 
     consolidation of all of each child human trafficking victim's 
     cases and offenses, and the coordination of all trafficking 
     victim treatment programs and social services;
       ``(E) regular and mandatory court appearances by the victim 
     during the duration of the treatment program for purposes of 
     ensuring compliance and effectiveness;
       ``(F) the ultimate dismissal of relevant non-violent 
     criminal charges against the victim, where such victim 
     successfully complies with the terms of the court-ordered 
     treatment program; and
       ``(G) collaborative efforts with child advocacy centers, 
     child welfare agencies, shelters, and non-governmental 
     organizations with substantial experience in delivering wrap-
     around services to victims of child human trafficking to 
     provide services to victims and encourage cooperation with 
     law enforcement.
       ``(c) Application.--
       ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity shall submit an 
     application to the Attorney General for a grant under this 
     section in such form and manner as the Attorney General may 
     require.
       ``(2) Required information.--An application submitted under 
     this subsection shall--
       ``(A) describe the activities for which assistance under 
     this section is sought;
       ``(B) include a detailed plan for the use of funds awarded 
     under the grant;
       ``(C) provide such additional information and assurances as 
     the Attorney General determines to be necessary to ensure 
     compliance with the requirements of this section; and
       ``(D) disclose--
       ``(i) any other grant funding from the Department of 
     Justice or from any other Federal department or agency for 
     purposes similar to those described in subsection (b) for 
     which the eligible entity has applied, and which application 
     is pending on the date of the submission of an application 
     under this section; and
       ``(ii) any other such grant funding that the eligible 
     entity has received during the 5-year period ending on the 
     date of the submission of an application under this section.
       ``(3) Preference.--In reviewing applications submitted in 
     accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2), the Attorney General 
     shall give preference to grant applications if--
       ``(A) the application includes a plan to use awarded funds 
     to engage in all activities described under paragraphs (1) 
     through (3) of subsection (b); or
       ``(B) the application includes a plan by the State or unit 
     of local government to continue funding of all activities 
     funded by the award after the expiration of the award.
       ``(d) Duration and Renewal of Award.--
       ``(1) In general.--A grant under this section shall expire 
     3 years after the date of award of the grant.
       ``(2) Renewal.--A grant under this section shall be 
     renewable not more than 2 times and for a period of not 
     greater than 2 years.
       ``(e) Evaluation.--The Attorney General shall--
       ``(1) enter into a contract with a nongovernmental 
     organization, including an academic or nonprofit 
     organization, that has experience with issues related to 
     child human trafficking and evaluation of grant programs to 
     conduct periodic evaluations of grants made under this 
     section to determine the impact and effectiveness of programs 
     funded with grants awarded under this section; and
       ``(2) submit the results of any evaluation conducted 
     pursuant to paragraph (1) to--
       ``(A) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate; and
       ``(B) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives.
       ``(f) Mandatory Exclusion.--An eligible entity awarded 
     funds under this section that is found to have used grant 
     funds for any unauthorized expenditure or otherwise 
     unallowable cost shall not be eligible for any grant funds 
     awarded under the block grant for 2 fiscal years following 
     the year in which the unauthorized expenditure or unallowable 
     cost is reported.
       ``(g) Compliance Requirement.--An eligible entity shall not 
     be eligible to receive a grant under this section if within 
     the 5 fiscal years before submitting an application for a 
     grant under this section, the grantee has been found to have 
     violated the terms or conditions of a Government grant 
     program by utilizing grant funds for unauthorized 
     expenditures or otherwise unallowable costs.
       ``(h) Administrative Cap.--The cost of administering the 
     grants authorized by this section shall not exceed 5 percent 
     of the total amount expended to carry out this section.
       ``(i) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     program funded by a grant awarded under this section shall 
     be--
       ``(1) 70 percent in the first year;
       ``(2) 60 percent in the second year; and
       ``(3) 50 percent in the third year, and in all subsequent 
     years.
       ``(j) Authorization of Funding; Fully Offset.--For purposes 
     of carrying out this section, the Attorney General, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
     is authorized to award not more than $7,000,000 of the funds 
     available in

[[Page S207]]

     the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund, established under 
     section 3014 of title 18, United States Code, for each of 
     fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
       ``(k) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `child' means a person under the age of 18;
       ``(2) the term `child advocacy center' means a center 
     created under subtitle A of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 
     1990 (42 U.S.C. 13001 et seq.);
       ``(3) the term `child human trafficking' means 1 or more 
     severe forms of trafficking in persons (as defined in section 
     103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 
     U.S.C. 7102)) involving a victim who is a child; and
       ``(4) the term `eligible entity' means a State or unit of 
     local government that--
       ``(A) has significant criminal activity involving child 
     human trafficking;
       ``(B) has demonstrated cooperation between Federal, State, 
     local, and, where applicable, tribal law enforcement 
     agencies, prosecutors, and social service providers in 
     addressing child human trafficking;
       ``(C) has developed a workable, multi-disciplinary plan to 
     combat child human trafficking, including--
       ``(i) the establishment of a shelter for victims of child 
     human trafficking, through existing or new facilities;
       ``(ii) the provision of trauma-informed, gender-responsive 
     rehabilitative care to victims of child human trafficking;
       ``(iii) the provision of specialized training for law 
     enforcement officers and social service providers for all 
     forms of human trafficking, with a focus on domestic child 
     human trafficking;
       ``(iv) prevention, deterrence, and prosecution of offenses 
     involving child human trafficking, including soliciting, 
     patronizing, or purchasing human acts with children;
       ``(v) cooperation or referral agreements with organizations 
     providing outreach or other related services to runaway and 
     homeless youth;
       ``(vi) law enforcement protocols or procedures to screen 
     all individuals arrested for prostitution, whether adult or 
     child, for victimization by sex trafficking and by other 
     crimes, such as sexual assault and domestic violence; and
       ``(vii) cooperation or referral agreements with State child 
     welfare agencies and child advocacy centers; and
       ``(D) provides an assurance that, under the plan under 
     subparagraph (C), a victim of child human trafficking shall 
     not be required to collaborate with law enforcement officers 
     to have access to any shelter or services provided with a 
     grant under this section.
       ``(l) Grant Accountability; Specialized Victims' Service 
     Requirement.--No grant funds under this section may be 
     awarded or transferred to any entity unless such entity has 
     demonstrated substantial experience providing services to 
     victims of human trafficking or related populations (such as 
     runaway and homeless youth), or employs staff specialized in 
     the treatment of human trafficking victims.''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization 
     Act of 2005 (22 U.S.C. 7101 note) is amended by striking the 
     item relating to section 203 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 203. Victim-centered child human trafficking deterrence block 
              grant program.''.

     SEC. 5. DIRECT SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.

       The Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13001 et 
     seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 212(5) (42 U.S.C. 13001a(5)), by inserting 
     ``, including human trafficking and the production of child 
     pornography'' before the semicolon at the end; and
       (2) in section 214 (42 U.S.C. 13002)--
       (A) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as 
     subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
       ``(b) Direct Services for Victims of Child Pornography.--
     The Administrator, in coordination with the Director and with 
     the Director of the Office of Victims of Crime, may make 
     grants to develop and implement specialized programs to 
     identify and provide direct services to victims of child 
     pornography.''.

     SEC. 6. INCREASING COMPENSATION AND RESTITUTION FOR 
                   TRAFFICKING VICTIMS.

       (a) Amendments to Title 18.--Section 1594 of title 18, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``that was used or'' and inserting ``that 
     was involved in, used, or'';
       (ii) by inserting ``, and any property traceable to such 
     property'' after ``such violation''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, or any property 
     traceable to such property'' after ``such violation'';
       (2) in subsection (e)(1)(A)--
       (A) by striking ``used or'' and inserting ``involved in, 
     used, or''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, and any property traceable to such 
     property'' after ``any violation of this chapter'';
       (3) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
       (4) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
       ``(f) Transfer of Forfeited Assets.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Attorney General shall transfer assets forfeited 
     pursuant to this section, or the proceeds derived from the 
     sale thereof, to satisfy victim restitution orders arising 
     from violations of this chapter.
       ``(2) Priority.--Transfers pursuant to paragraph (1) shall 
     have priority over any other claims to the assets or their 
     proceeds.
       ``(3) Use of non-forfeited assets.--Transfers pursuant to 
     paragraph (1) shall not reduce or otherwise mitigate the 
     obligation of a person convicted of a violation of this 
     chapter to satisfy the full amount of a restitution order 
     through the use of non-forfeited assets or to reimburse the 
     Attorney General for the value of assets or proceeds 
     transferred under this subsection through the use of non-
     forfeited assets.''.
       (b) Amendment to Title 28.--Section 524(c)(1)(B) of title 
     28, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``chapter 77 
     of title 18,'' after ``criminal drug laws of the United 
     States or of''.
       (c) Amendments to Title 31.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 97 of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) by redesignating section 9703 (as added by section 
     638(b)(1) of the Treasury, Postal Service, and General 
     Government Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public Law 102-393; 106 
     Stat. 1779)) as section 9705; and
       (B) in section 9705(a), as redesignated--
       (i) in paragraph (1)--

       (I) in subparagraph (I)--

       (aa) by striking ``payment'' and inserting ``Payment''; and
       (bb) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a 
     period; and

       (II) in subparagraph (J), by striking ``payment'' and 
     inserting ``Payment''; and

       (ii) in paragraph (2)--

       (I) in subparagraph (B)--

       (aa) in clause (iii)--
       (AA) in subclause (I), by striking ``or'' and inserting 
     ``of''; and
       (BB) in subclause (III), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (bb) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (cc) by inserting after clause (iv) the following:
       ``(v) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with respect 
     to a violation of chapter 77 of title 18 (relating to human 
     trafficking);'';

       (II) in subparagraph (G), by adding ``and'' at the end; and
       (III) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``; and'' and 
     inserting a period.

       (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--
       (A) Cross references.--
       (i) Title 28.--Section 524(c) of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended--

       (I) in paragraph (4)(C), by striking ``section 
     9703(g)(4)(A)(ii)'' and inserting ``section 9705(g)(4)(A)'';
       (II) in paragraph (10), by striking ``section 9703(p)'' and 
     inserting ``section 9705(p)''; and
       (III) in paragraph (11), by striking ``section 9703'' and 
     inserting ``section 9705''.

       (ii)  Title 31.--Title 31, United States Code, is amended--

       (I) in section 312(d), by striking ``section 9703'' and 
     inserting ``section 9705''; and
       (II) in section 5340(1), by striking ``section 9703(p)(1)'' 
     and inserting ``section 9705(p)(1)''.

       (iii) Title 39.--Section 2003(e)(1) of title 39, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``section 9703(p)'' and 
     inserting ``section 9705(p)''.
       (B) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 
     97 of title 31, United States Code, is amended to read as 
     follows:

``9701. Fees and charges for Government services and things of value.
``9702. Investment of trust funds.
``9703. Managerial accountability and flexibility.
``9704. Pilot projects for managerial accountability and flexibility.
``9705. Department of the Treasury Forfeiture Fund.''.

     SEC. 7. STREAMLINING HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATIONS.

       Section 2516 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (a), by inserting a comma after 
     ``weapons)'';
       (B) in subparagraph (c)--
       (i) by inserting ``section 1581 (peonage), section 1584 
     (involuntary servitude), section 1589 (forced labor), section 
     1590 (trafficking with respect to peonage, slavery, 
     involuntary servitude, or forced labor),'' before ``section 
     1591'';
       (ii) by inserting ``section 1592 (unlawful conduct with 
     respect to documents in furtherance of trafficking, peonage, 
     slavery, involuntary servitude, or forced labor),'' before 
     ``section 1751'';
       (iii) by inserting a comma after ``virus)'';
       (iv) by striking ``,, section'' and inserting a comma;
       (v) by striking ``or'' after ``misuse of passports),''; and
       (vi) by inserting ``or'' before ``section 555'';
       (C) in subparagraph (j), by striking ``pipeline,)'' and 
     inserting ``pipeline),''; and
       (D) in subparagraph (p), by striking ``documents, section 
     1028A (relating to aggravated identity theft))'' and 
     inserting ``documents), section 1028A (relating to aggravated 
     identity theft)''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``human trafficking, 
     child sexual exploitation, child pornography production,'' 
     after ``kidnapping''.

     SEC. 8. ENHANCING HUMAN TRAFFICKING REPORTING.

       (a) In General.--Section 505 of title I of the Omnibus 
     Crime Control and Safe Streets

[[Page S208]]

     Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(i) Part 1 Violent Crimes To Include Human Trafficking.--
     For purposes of this section, the term `part 1 violent 
     crimes' shall include severe forms of trafficking in persons 
     (as defined in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims 
     Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102)).''.
       (b) Crime Control Act Amendments.--Section 3702 of the 
     Crime Control Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 5780) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
       (2) in paragraph (4)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``paragraph (3)'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and a photograph 
     taken within the previous 180 days'' after ``dental 
     records'';
       (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); 
     and
       (E) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
       ``(C) notify the National Center for Missing and Exploited 
     Children of each report received relating to a child reported 
     missing from a foster care family home or childcare 
     institution; and''.

     SEC. 9. REDUCING DEMAND FOR SEX TRAFFICKING.

       (a) In General.--Section 1591 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``or maintains'' and 
     inserting ``maintains, patronizes, or solicits'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or obtained'' and 
     inserting ``obtained, patronized, or solicited''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or obtained'' and 
     inserting ``obtained, patronized, or solicited''; and
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by striking ``or maintained'' and inserting ``, 
     maintained, patronized, or solicited''; and
       (B) by striking ``knew that the person'' and inserting 
     ``knew, or recklessly disregarded the fact, that the 
     person''.
       (b) Definition Amended.--Section 103(10) of the Trafficking 
     Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(10)) is 
     amended by striking ``or obtaining'' and inserting 
     ``obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting''.
       (c) Purpose.--The purpose of the amendments made by this 
     section is to clarify the range of conduct punished as sex 
     trafficking.

     SEC. 10. USING EXISTING TASK FORCES AND COMPONENTS TO TARGET 
                   OFFENDERS WHO EXPLOIT CHILDREN.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Attorney General shall ensure that--
       (1) all task forces and working groups within the Innocence 
     Lost National Initiative engage in activities, programs, or 
     operations to increase the investigative capabilities of 
     State and local law enforcement officers in the detection, 
     investigation, and prosecution of persons who patronize, or 
     solicit children for sex; and
       (2) all components and task forces with jurisdiction to 
     detect, investigate, and prosecute cases of child labor 
     trafficking engage in activities, programs, or operations to 
     increase the capacity of such components to deter and punish 
     child labor trafficking.

     SEC. 11. TARGETING CHILD PREDATORS.

       (a) Clarifying That Child Pornography Producers Are Human 
     Traffickers.--Section 2423(f) of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``means (1) a'' and inserting the 
     following: ``means--
       ``(1) a'';
       (2) by striking ``United States; or (2) any'' and inserting 
     the following: ``United States;
       ``(2) any''; and
       (3) by striking the period at the end and inserting the 
     following: ``; or
       ``(3) production of child pornography (as defined in 
     section 2256(8)).''.
       (b) Holding Sex Traffickers Accountable.--Section 2423(g) 
     of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``a 
     preponderance of the evidence'' and inserting ``clear and 
     convincing evidence''.

     SEC. 12. MONITORING ALL HUMAN TRAFFICKERS AS VIOLENT 
                   CRIMINALS.

       Section 3156(a)(4)(C) of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting ``77,'' after ``chapter''.

     SEC. 13. CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 3771 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) The right to be informed in a timely manner of any 
     plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement.
       ``(10) The right to be informed of the rights under this 
     section and the services described in section 503(c) of the 
     Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     10607(c)) and provided contact information for the Office of 
     the Victims' Rights Ombudsman of the Department of 
     Justice.'';
       (2) in subsection (d)(3), in the fifth sentence, by 
     inserting ``, unless the litigants, with the approval of the 
     court, have stipulated to a different time period for 
     consideration'' before the period; and
       (3) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by striking ``this chapter, the term'' and inserting 
     the following: ``this chapter:
       ``(1) Court of appeals.--The term `court of appeals' 
     means--
       ``(A) the United States court of appeals for the judicial 
     district in which a defendant is being prosecuted; or
       ``(B) for a prosecution in the Superior Court of the 
     District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Court of 
     Appeals.
       ``(2) Crime victim.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term'';
       (B) by striking ``In the case'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(B) Minors and certain other victims.--In the case''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) District court; court.--The terms `district court' 
     and `court' include the Superior Court of the District of 
     Columbia.''.
       (b) Crime Victims Fund.--Section 1402(d)(3)(A)(i) of the 
     Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601(d)(3)(A)(i)) is 
     amended by inserting ``section'' before ``3771''.
       (c) Appellate Review of Petitions Relating to Crime 
     Victims' Rights.--
       (1) In general.--Section 3771(d)(3) of title 18, United 
     States Code, as amended by subsection (a)(2) of this section, 
     is amended by inserting after the fifth sentence the 
     following: ``In deciding such application, the court of 
     appeals shall apply ordinary standards of appellate 
     review.''.
       (2) Application.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall 
     apply with respect to any petition for a writ of mandamus 
     filed under section 3771(d)(3) of title 18, United States 
     Code, that is pending on the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 14. COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Combat 
     Human Trafficking Act of 2015''.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Commercial sex act; severe forms of trafficking in 
     persons; state.--The terms ``commercial sex act'', ``severe 
     forms of trafficking in persons'', and ``State'' have the 
     meanings given those terms in section 103 of the Trafficking 
     Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102).
       (2) Covered offender.--The term ``covered offender'' means 
     an individual who obtains, patronizes, or solicits a 
     commercial sex act involving a person subject to severe forms 
     of trafficking in persons.
       (3) Covered offense.--The term ``covered offense'' means 
     the provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a 
     commercial sex act involving a person subject to severe forms 
     of trafficking in persons.
       (4) Federal law enforcement officer.--The term ``Federal 
     law enforcement officer'' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 115 of title 18, United States Code.
       (5) Local law enforcement officer.--The term ``local law 
     enforcement officer'' means any officer, agent, or employee 
     of a unit of local government authorized by law or by a local 
     government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, 
     detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of 
     criminal law.
       (6) State law enforcement officer.--The term ``State law 
     enforcement officer'' means any officer, agent, or employee 
     of a State authorized by law or by a State government agency 
     to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, 
     investigation, or prosecution of any violation of criminal 
     law.
       (c) Department of Justice Training and Policy for Law 
     Enforcement Officers, Prosecutors, and Judges.--
       (1) Training.--
       (A) Law enforcement officers.--The Attorney General shall 
     ensure that each anti-human trafficking program operated by 
     the Department of Justice, including each anti-human 
     trafficking training program for Federal, State, or local law 
     enforcement officers, includes technical training on--
       (i) effective methods for investigating and prosecuting 
     covered offenders; and
       (ii) facilitating the provision of physical and mental 
     health services by health care providers to persons subject 
     to severe forms of trafficking in persons.
       (B) Federal prosecutors.--The Attorney General shall ensure 
     that each anti-human trafficking program operated by the 
     Department of Justice for United States attorneys or other 
     Federal prosecutors includes training on seeking restitution 
     for offenses under chapter 77 of title 18, United States 
     Code, to ensure that each United States attorney or other 
     Federal prosecutor, upon obtaining a conviction for such an 
     offense, requests a specific amount of restitution for each 
     victim of the offense without regard to whether the victim 
     requests restitution.
       (C) Judges.--The Federal Judicial Center shall provide 
     training to judges relating to the application of section 
     1593 of title 18, United States Code, with respect to 
     ordering restitution for victims of offenses under chapter 77 
     of such title.
       (2) Policy for federal law enforcement officers.--The 
     Attorney General shall ensure that Federal law enforcement 
     officers are engaged in activities, programs, or operations 
     involving the detection, investigation, and prosecution of 
     covered offenders.
       (d) Minimum Period of Supervised Release for Conspiracy to 
     Commit Commercial Child Sex Trafficking.--Section 3583(k) of 
     title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     ``1594(c),'' after ``1591,''.
       (e) Bureau of Justice Statistics Report on State 
     Enforcement of Human Trafficking Prohibitions.--The Director 
     of the Bureau of Justice Statistics shall--
       (1) prepare an annual report on--
       (A) the rates of--
       (i) arrest of individuals by State law enforcement officers 
     for a covered offense;

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       (ii) prosecution (including specific charges) of 
     individuals in State court systems for a covered offense; and
       (iii) conviction of individuals in State court systems for 
     a covered offense; and
       (B) sentences imposed on individuals convicted in State 
     court systems for a covered offense; and
       (2) submit the annual report prepared under paragraph (1) 
     to--
       (A) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (B) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
       (C) the Task Force;
       (D) the Senior Policy Operating Group established under 
     section 105(g) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 
     2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(g)); and
       (E) the Attorney General.

     SEC. 15. GRANT ACCOUNTABILITY.

       (a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``covered 
     grant'' means a grant awarded by the Attorney General under 
     section 203 of the Trafficking Victims Protection 
     Reauthorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 14044b), as amended by 
     section 4.
       (b) Accountability.--All covered grants shall be subject to 
     the following accountability provisions:
       (1) Audit requirement.--
       (A) In general.--Beginning in the first fiscal year 
     beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, and in 
     each fiscal year thereafter, the Inspector General of the 
     Department of Justice shall conduct audits of recipients of a 
     covered grant to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds by 
     grantees. The Inspector General shall determine the 
     appropriate number of grantees to be audited each year.
       (B) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term ``unresolved 
     audit finding'' means a finding in the final audit report of 
     the Inspector General that the audited grantee has utilized 
     grant funds for an unauthorized expenditure or otherwise 
     unallowable cost that is not closed or resolved within 12 
     months from the date when the final audit report is issued.
       (C) Mandatory exclusion.--A recipient of a covered grant 
     that is found to have an unresolved audit finding shall not 
     be eligible to receive a covered grant during the following 2 
     fiscal years.
       (D) Priority.--In awarding covered grants the Attorney 
     General shall give priority to eligible entities that did not 
     have an unresolved audit finding during the 3 fiscal years 
     prior to submitting an application for a covered grant.
       (E) Reimbursement.--If an entity is awarded a covered grant 
     during the 2-fiscal-year period in which the entity is barred 
     from receiving grants under subparagraph (C), the Attorney 
     General shall--
       (i) deposit an amount equal to the grant funds that were 
     improperly awarded to the grantee into the General Fund of 
     the Treasury; and
       (ii) seek to recoup the costs of the repayment to the fund 
     from the grant recipient that was erroneously awarded grant 
     funds.
       (2) Nonprofit organization requirements.--
       (A) Definition.--For purposes of this paragraph and covered 
     grants, the term ``nonprofit organization'' means an 
     organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from taxation 
     under section 501(a) of such Code.
       (B) Prohibition.--The Attorney General may not award a 
     covered grant to a nonprofit organization that holds money in 
     offshore accounts for the purpose of avoiding paying the tax 
     described in section 511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986.
       (C) Disclosure.--Each nonprofit organization that is 
     awarded a covered grant and uses the procedures prescribed in 
     regulations to create a rebuttable presumption of 
     reasonableness for the compensation of its officers, 
     directors, trustees and key employees, shall disclose to the 
     Attorney General, in the application for the grant, the 
     process for determining such compensation, including the 
     independent persons involved in reviewing and approving such 
     compensation, the comparability data used, and 
     contemporaneous substantiation of the deliberation and 
     decision. Upon request, the Attorney General shall make the 
     information disclosed under this subsection available for 
     public inspection.
       (3) Conference expenditures.--
       (A) Limitation.--No amounts transferred to the Department 
     of Justice under this Act, or the amendments made by this 
     Act, may be used by the Attorney General, or by any 
     individual or organization awarded discretionary funds 
     through a cooperative agreement under this Act, or the 
     amendments made by this Act, to host or support any 
     expenditure for conferences that uses more than $20,000 in 
     Department funds, unless the Deputy Attorney General or such 
     Assistant Attorney Generals, Directors, or principal deputies 
     as the Deputy Attorney General may designate, provides prior 
     written authorization that the funds may be expended to host 
     a conference.
       (B) Written approval.--Written approval under subparagraph 
     (A) shall include a written estimate of all costs associated 
     with the conference, including the cost of all food and 
     beverages, audiovisual equipment, honoraria for speakers, and 
     any entertainment.
       (C) Report.--The Deputy Attorney General shall submit an 
     annual report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate 
     and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives on all approved conference expenditures 
     referenced in this paragraph.
       (D) Annual certification.--Beginning in the first fiscal 
     year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Attorney General shall submit, to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate 
     and the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives, an annual 
     certification that--
       (i) all audits issued by the Office of the Inspector 
     General under paragraph (1) have been completed and reviewed 
     by the appropriate Assistant Attorney General or Director;
       (ii) all mandatory exclusions required under paragraph 
     (1)(C) have been issued;
       (iii) all reimbursements required under paragraph (1)(E) 
     have been made; and
       (iv) includes a list of any grant recipients excluded under 
     paragraph (1) from the previous year.
       (4) Prohibition on lobbying activity.--
       (A) In general.--Amounts awarded under this Act, or any 
     amendments made by this Act, may not be utilized by any grant 
     recipient to--
       (i) lobby any representative of the Department of Justice 
     regarding the award of grant funding; or
       (ii) lobby any representative of a Federal, State, local, 
     or tribal government regarding the award of grant funding.
       (B) Penalty.--If the Attorney General determines that any 
     recipient of a covered grant has violated subparagraph (A), 
     the Attorney General shall--
       (i) require the grant recipient to repay the grant in full; 
     and
       (ii) prohibit the grant recipient from receiving another 
     covered grant for not less than 5 years.

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