H.R.1185 - Human Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Training Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1185, the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Training Act, aims to amend the Public Health Service Act. It focuses on implementing curricula to train students, teachers, and school personnel to understand, recognize, prevent, and respond to signs of human trafficking and exploitation in children and youth.
The bill establishes a demonstration project under the Director of the Office on Trafficking in Persons. This project involves approving vendors to develop curricula and awarding grants to eligible entities for training implementation.
Furthermore, it mandates data collection and reporting to Congress on various metrics related to the training programs' effectiveness and reach, with specific funding authorized for the demonstration project from 2026 through 2029.
Expected Effects
This bill, if enacted, will likely increase awareness and prevention of human trafficking and exploitation among children and youth. It will achieve this by providing training to students, teachers, and school personnel. The demonstration project will also generate data on the effectiveness of different training approaches and the prevalence of trafficking.
Potential Benefits
- Increased awareness and identification of human trafficking among students, teachers, and school personnel.
- Development and implementation of evidence-based curricula for human trafficking prevention.
- Improved protocols for reporting and facilitating communication with human trafficking survivors and exploited children.
- Targeted support for vulnerable populations and high-risk geographic areas.
- Data-driven evaluation of training program effectiveness and best practices.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential administrative burden and costs associated with implementing the demonstration project and training programs.
- Risk of ineffective or inappropriate curricula if vendors are not properly vetted.
- Challenges in collecting and reporting data while protecting the privacy of survivors and at-risk students.
- Possible resistance from some schools or communities to implementing the training programs.
- Limited scope of the demonstration project, which may not address all aspects of human trafficking prevention.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to protect children and youth from exploitation. It does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations. The focus on education and prevention falls within the purview of Congressional power to legislate for the general welfare.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).