[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5601-H5603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IMPACTT HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(S. 670) to improve services for trafficking victims by establishing,
in Homeland Security Investigations, the Investigators Maintain
Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma Program and the
Victim Assistance Program.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 670
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``IMPACTT Human Trafficking
Act''.
SEC. 2. INVESTIGATORS MAINTAIN PURPOSEFUL AWARENESS TO COMBAT
TRAFFICKING TRAUMA PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--There is established, in Homeland
Security Investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, the Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness
to Combat Trafficking Trauma Program (referred to in this Act
as the ``IMPACTT Program'').
(b) Functions.--The IMPACTT Program shall--
(1) provide outreach and training to Homeland Security
Investigations employees who have been exposed to various
forms of trauma in working with victims of human trafficking,
including--
(A) self-awareness training for the relevant employees on
recognizing the signs of burnout, compassion fatigue,
critical incident stress, traumatic stress, posttraumatic
stress, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma;
(B) training material that--
(i) provides mechanisms for self-care and resilience and
notification of resources that are available through U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, such as the Employee
Assistance Program, the Peer Support Program, the Chaplain
Program, and other relevant accredited programs that are
available; and
(ii) provides examples of potential resources that are
available outside of U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, which may include, faith-based and community-
based resources; and
(C) provide additional training to first line supervisors
of relevant employees on recognizing the signs referred to in
subparagraph (A) and the appropriate responses to employees
exhibiting such signs;
(2) include training modules that are carried out by--
(A) licensed and accredited clinicians who--
(i) have been trained on the exposure of various forms of
trauma and other stressors experienced in working with
victims; and
(ii) may have experience working with faith-based
organizations, community-based organizations, counseling
programs, or other social service programs; and
(B) additional subject matter experts who are available;
and
(3) be overseen and coordinated by the Department of
Homeland Security Center for Countering Human Trafficking to
ensure that--
(A) appropriate program materials are distributed;
(B) training is offered to all relevant employees; and
(C) any needed travel and equipment is provided.
SEC. 3. HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS VICTIM ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subtitle D of title IV of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 251 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 447. HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS VICTIM
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Forensic interview specialist.--The term `forensic
interview specialist' is an interview professional who has
specialized experience and training in conducting trauma-
informed forensic interviews with victims of crime.
``(2) Victim.--The term `victim' has the meaning given such
term in section 503(e)(2) of the Victims' Rights and
Restitution Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 20141(e)(2)).
``(3) Victim assistance specialist.--The term `victim
assistance specialist' is a victim assistance professional
who--
``(A) has experience working with victims of crime in a
service capacity;
``(B) has been trained on the exposure of various forms of
trauma and other stressors experienced in working with
victims; and
``(C) may have experience working with local government and
community-based organizations, including victim advocacy
centers, child advocacy centers, child welfare agencies,
faith-based organizations, and other social service programs.
``(b) In General.--There is established, in Homeland
Security Investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, the Victim Assistance Program.
``(c) Functions.--The Victim Assistance Program shall--
``(1) provide oversight, guidance, training, travel,
equipment, and coordination to Homeland Security
Investigations victim assistance personnel throughout the
United States;
``(2) recruit not fewer than--
``(A) 1 forensic interview specialist and 1 victim
assistance specialist for each Homeland Security
Investigations Special Agent in Charge office;
``(B) 1 victim assistance specialist for--
``(i) every Homeland Security Investigations office
participating in a human trafficking task force; and
``(ii) every Homeland Security Investigations office
participating in a child sexual exploitation task force;
``(3) support Homeland Security Investigations regional
attache offices, to the extent necessary;
``(4) provide training regarding victims' rights, victim-
related policies, roles of forensic interviewers and victim
assistance specialists, and an approach that is--
``(A) victim-centered;
``(B) trauma-informed; and
``(C) linguistically appropriate, to the extent feasible;
and
``(5) purchase emergency items that are needed to assist
identified victims in Homeland Security Investigations
criminal investigations, including food, clothing, hygiene
products, transportation, and temporary shelter that is not
otherwise provided by a nongovernmental organization.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) is amended--
(1) in section 1(b) (6 U.S.C. 101 note)--
(A) by striking the item relating to section 442 and
inserting the following:
``Sec. 442. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.'';
and
(B) by inserting after the item relating to section 446 the
following:
``Sec. 447. Homeland Security Investigations Victim Assistance
Program.'';
(2) in section 442--
(A) by amending the section heading to read as follows:
``u.s. immigration and customs enforcement'';
(B) by striking ``bureau'' each place such term appears
(except in subsection (a)(1)) and inserting ``agency'';
(C) by striking ``the Bureau of Border Security'' each
place such term appears and inserting ``U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement'';
(D) in subsection (a)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking ``of Bureau'';
(ii) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ``affecting the
Bureau of'' and inserting ``affecting U.S.''; and
(iii) in paragraph (4), by striking ``the Bureau.'' and
inserting ``the agency.''; and
(E) in subsection (b)(2)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``Bureau of Border Security'' and inserting ``U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``the Bureau of''
before ``Citizenship and Immigration Services'' and inserting
``U.S.''; and
(3) in section 443(2), by striking ``such bureau'' and
inserting ``such agency''.
SEC. 4. ANNUAL REPORT.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland
Security shall submit a report to Congress that identifies,
with respect to the reporting period--
(1) the number of trainings that were provided through the
IMPACTT Program and the number of personnel who received such
training; and
(2) the number of human trafficking victims who were
assisted by the Homeland Security Investigations Victim
Assistance Program.
SEC. 5. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for
the purpose of carrying out this Act.
[[Page H5602]]
SEC. 6. SUNSET.
This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall cease to
have force or effect beginning on October 1, 2030.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oregon (Mr. Bentz) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ivey) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
General Leave
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on S. 670.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oregon?
There was no objection.
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to
Combat Trafficking Trauma Program and the Victim Assistance Program,
IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act, provides for outreach and training to
Homeland Security Investigations employees who have been exposed to
various forms of trauma while working with victims of human
trafficking.
Thousands of men, women, and children are exploited through sex or
labor in the United States. Traffickers might use violence,
manipulation, and false promises of jobs or even romantic relationships
to lure victims into trafficking situations. We have heard about these
issues extensively in two victim-focused hearings in the House
Judiciary Committee in this Congress.
Human trafficking not only leaves victims and survivors with lasting
trauma, but it also affects the dedicated professionals who are
responsible for investigating these crimes. Homeland Security
Investigations is a component of and the main investigative body within
the Department of Homeland Security.
HSI investigates all types of transnational crimes, but they serve as
the leading Federal agency combating the evils of human trafficking,
human smuggling, and child exploitation.
HSI works with more than 120 Federal, State, and local law
enforcement human trafficking task forces across the United States.
Through these task forces, HSI agents work with victim services
organizations, community-based organizations, faith-based
organizations, and others to raise awareness of human trafficking and
generate investigative leads.
While we all have a role in putting a stop to human trafficking, HSI
stands on the front lines to identify and capture traffickers and
predators, and then to hold these criminals accountable.
We cannot thank these brave men and women enough for all they do to
protect victims, both in the United States and abroad. This bill would
make permanent the Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to
Combat Trafficking Trauma, IMPACTT, program within HSI that provides
outreach and training to investigators, interviewers, victim assistance
specialists, and other partners who have been exposed to trauma while
working with victims of human trafficking.
These trainings would include the available resources to help cope
with burnout, stress, compassion fatigue, and trauma.
The bill also makes the HSI victim assistance program permanent,
which provides important guidance on victim assistance and monitors
compliance with Federal crime victim statutes.
Lastly, this legislation increases the number of victim assistance
specialists to ensure that every office participating in a human
trafficking or child exploitation task force will have an assigned
victim assistance specialist.
This legislation already passed the Senate under unanimous consent.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1730
Mr. IVEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, S. 670, the IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act, is bipartisan
legislation that has a dual purpose. It would establish the program
within the DHS' Homeland Security Investigation unit, or HSI. It would
also codify and expand the HSI Victim Assistance Program.
By establishing the IMPACTT program, this bill would ensure that
outreach and training are available to HSI agents, forensic
interviewers, survivor assistance specialists, task force officers, and
other partners who work with survivors of human trafficking.
This work can be extremely taxing, exposing these individuals to the
trauma of those they are working to help. By ensuring that these
individuals receive support, such as through training to help recognize
burnout and secondary traumatic stress, this legislation would help
them be more effective, reduce turnover, and ensure that they can
continue the important work of fighting human trafficking and assisting
survivors.
The second component of this legislation would enhance the HSI Victim
Assistance Program to ensure that every human trafficking survivor
identified by HSI is assigned a survivor assistance specialist and that
this program provides survivors with the support they need.
Survivor assistance specialists are a critical component of HSI's
survivor-centered approach to addressing human trafficking. These
specialists connect survivors to resources they might need and might
not otherwise be aware of, help survivors understand their
investigative and prosecutorial process, and train other law
enforcement and private-sector partners so that survivors receive
assistance that is survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and
linguistically appropriate.
Currently, only the largest HSI field offices have a victim
assistance specialist, but this legislation would ensure that every HSI
office with a human trafficking or child exploitation task force would
have a survivor assistance specialist to carry out this important work.
The Victim Assistance Program also provides forensic interview
support so that survivors are not retraumatized during investigative
interviews, and this bill would ensure that more survivors receive that
support.
Finally, this bill would help address the immediate needs of
survivors of human trafficking by providing funds for clothing, food,
transportation, hygiene products, and temporary shelter.
This benefits the survivors by promoting their safety and reducing
the chances that they end up back under the control of a trafficker. It
also prevents crime and future victimization by increasing the chances
that survivors are willing and able to assist law enforcement in
bringing the perpetrators of trafficking to justice.
As the State's attorney of Prince George's County, I saw some of the
harrowing experiences survivors of human trafficking experienced. This
bipartisan legislation would provide important support to help them as
well as those who work with them.
I commend Senator Peters and my House colleagues who jointly led the
companion to this bill: Representatives Joyce, Titus, Wagner, and
Slotkin. It is truly encouraging to see a bipartisan, bicameral bill
that supports the survivors of human trafficking, and I hope we can all
work together on more bipartisan legislation like this in the future.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of this
important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Joyce).
Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the
IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act, which I introduced alongside Senator
Peters early last year.
Thousands of men, women, and children are victimized by human
traffickers in the United States each year. Ohio is consistently ranked
among the States most heavily impacted by human trafficking incidents.
Traffickers threaten, deceive, and manipulate their victims, forcing
them into what amounts to modern-day slavery.
As a former prosecutor, I understand the importance of caring for
victims, punishing perpetrators, and ensuring that law enforcement
personnel also receive the resources and attention they need when
investigating these heinous crimes.
This bill would codify and expand the Victim Assistance Program at
HSI to provide much-needed support for victims and other individuals
impacted by human trafficking.
[[Page H5603]]
The bill also makes permanent a program focused on promoting the
well-being of HSI employees and partners who are repeatedly exposed to
trauma and stress during the course of their work with victims and
associated investigations. These law enforcement personnel are
consistently exposed to some of the worst humanity has to offer, and
they are working to protect the most vulnerable. We should do
everything in our power to safeguard their well-being and make sure
they have the resources they need to protect their mental health and
continue to do this admirable work.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Senator Peters for his continued leadership on
this issue and my colleagues in the House for their critical
partnership on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill
today.
Mr. IVEY. Mr. Speaker, S. 670, the IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act,
would enable more survivors to participate in the investigation and
prosecution of the crimes committed against them and prevent future
trafficking crimes. I support this bipartisan legislation, and I
encourage my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
necessary bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Bentz) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, S. 670.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________