Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025
Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 **What it does:** This bill would extend and update federal programs that combat human trafficking and modern slavery both internationally and domestically through 2029. It reauthorizes existing anti-trafficking efforts across multiple government agencies and creates a new program to help trafficking victims rebuild their lives. The bill also continues International Megan's Law, which requires sex offenders to notify authorities about international travel plans. **Who it affects:** The legislation impacts trafficking victims, law enforcement agencies, the State Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, and sex offenders subject to international travel reporting.
It also affects countries receiving U.S. anti-trafficking aid and assistance. **Key provisions:** The bill extends funding for anti-trafficking programs through fiscal year 2029, maintains sex offender travel notification requirements, establishes a new HHS program to help trafficking victims reintegrate into society, and requires updates to the State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons Report. The legislation addresses both child and adult trafficking as well as related issues like domestic violence and forced labor. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 1144) and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes programs and activities that combat international trafficking; establishes a new program to help victims of trafficking; and updates various elements of the federal framework to combat international trafficking.Specifically, this bill reauthorizes through FY2029 programs and activities at various federal departments and agencies to combat international trafficking and reduce the prevalence of modern slavery. The bill also reauthorizes International Megan’s Law through FY2029. Among its provisions, the law requires sex offenders to provide certain information about their intended travel outside of the United States.Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out a new program to help victims of trafficking integrate or reintegrate into society.The bill requires the Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report to include information about trafficking in persons for the purposes of organ removal. With respect to country rankings for anti-trafficking efforts, the bill narrows the types of countries that are listed on the Tier 2 Watch List and increases the length of time a country may remain on the Tier 2 Watch List after being downgraded to the lowest ranking and then reinstated to the watch list. (The Tier 2 Watch List refers to countries that are making efforts to meet international standards for combatting human trafficking but still have a significant number of severe trafficking cases.) Finally, the bill requires counter-trafficking strategies, activities, and efforts to be further incorporated into U.S. foreign assistance.
Latest Action
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.