On April 30, the House Judiciary Committee approved three bills to address human trafficking: the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (H.R. 3530), as amended, the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act (H.R. 3610), as amended, and the Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation (SAVE) Act (H.R. 4225), as amended.
Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act
Sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), H.R. 3530 would impose additional penalties on individuals or entities convicted of human trafficking. The measure would establish the Domestic Trafficking Victims Fund to collect the penalties and award grants or enhance victims’ programs. Funds also would be used to provide services for victims of child pornography.
Among other provisions, the bill would amend the federal criminal code to increase restitution for victims of human trafficking; establish provisions to combat aggravated human trafficking racketeering; permit state and local law enforcement to obtain wiretap warrants for investigation into human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and the production of child pornography; increase penalties for human trafficking; and revise the definition of the crime of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
The committee approved the legislation, as amended, by voice vote.
Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act
The committee approved H.R. 3610, sponsored by Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN), by voice vote. Among other provisions, the bill would require states to have in effect legislation that treats minors who have engaged in commercial sex acts as victims of a severe form of human trafficking. The measure would discourage the charging or prosecution of such minors for prostitution or sex trafficking; states that fail to comply would be at risk of losing access to Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants.
The bill would require the attorney general to implement and maintain a national strategy for combating human trafficking, which, among other provisions, integrates state, federal, local, and tribal efforts to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases. The legislation would modify the definition of “tier III sex offender” to include sex offenders whose offense is punishable by a prison term of more than one year, and is comparable to, or more severe, than sex trafficking of a minor or involves the attempt or conspiracy to traffic a minor.
The SAVE Act
The Judiciary committee approved H.R. 4225, the SAVE Act, by a vote of 24-3. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), would fine and/or imprison for up to five years, individuals who benefit financially from, receive anything of value from, or distribute advertising that offers a commercial sex act.
