[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 24 (Thursday, February 12, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S997-S998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself and Mr. Kirk):
  S. 529. A bill to improve the services available to runaway and 
homeless youth who are victims of trafficking, to improve the response 
to victims of child sex trafficking, to direct the Interagency Task 
Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking to identify strategies to 
prevent children from becoming victims of trafficking and review 
trafficking prevention efforts, to protect and assist in the recovery 
of victims of trafficking, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today, I am introducing a measure that 
would help us make progress in the fight against domestic human 
trafficking, a terrible crime. This legislation, titled the Combating 
Human Trafficking Act of 2015, has three objectives. First, it would 
encourage federal agencies to devote existing grant resources to 
initiatives that are designed to protect runaway and homeless youth 
from human traffickers. Second, it would update the authorizing 
language for the cyber tipline of the National Center for Missing and 
Exploited Children to ensure that the statute specifically references 
``child sex trafficking.'' Third, and finally, this legislation would 
help ensure that trafficking victims' housing needs are met and equip 
Congress with more information on the best practices to combat human 
trafficking.
  The first title of this measure is based on legislation introduced by 
U.S. Congressman Joseph Heck of Nevada in January. It is titled the 
Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth 
Trafficking Act of 2015. Similar language passed the House on January 
26 by a unanimous voice vote. This part of the bill would improve the 
support provided specifically to runaway and homeless youth who are 
trafficking victims. This title also would enable the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services to devote existing grant resources to 
training grantees' personnel on the effects of human trafficking on 
runaway and homeless youth. Finally, this title would allow the HHS 
Secretary to provide street-based services to such victims.
  The second title of the bill, based on a measure introduced by U.S. 
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of Ohio, would amend the Missing Children's 
Assistance Act to ensure that the phrase ``child sex trafficking'' is 
incorporated into the statutory language that authorizes the cyber 
tipline of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 
Nearly identical language already passed the U.S. House of 
Representatives earlier this year.
  The final title of this legislation is known as the Human Trafficking 
Prevention, Intervention and Recovery Act of 2015, after a bill 
introduced by U.S. Congresswoman Kristi Noem of South Dakota. It would 
charge the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking 
with several duties, such as identifying best practices and strategies 
to combat human trafficking and cataloging the anti-trafficking 
activities of various State and Federal agencies. This task force, 
which was created under the 2000 Trafficking Victims Protection Act, 
must provide a report within one year of its review and findings, under 
the legislation.
  The third title of this legislation also calls for the Government 
Accountability Office to report to Congress on governmental and law 
enforcement efforts to combat domestic human trafficking. This title 
also recognizes that minors who are trafficking victims in the United 
States are in desperate need of housing. It would ensure that certain 
grants, which are available from the U.S. Department of Justice under 
the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, can be used for 
initiatives to assist trafficking victims with their

[[Page S998]]

housing needs. Shelters and facilities that are seeking to expand or 
develop services to trafficking survivors would be eligible to apply 
for these grant funds, under this title of the legislation. Nearly 
identical language passed the House last month.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this vitally important legislation. I 
also want to extend my appreciation to my colleague from Illinois, Mr. 
Kirk, who has agreed to join me as an original cosponsor of this 
measure.

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