S.1049 - Preventing Child Trafficking Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1049, the Preventing Child Trafficking Act of 2025, directs the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) within the Department of Justice to continue implementing anti-trafficking recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). It specifically references the GAO report "Child Trafficking: Addressing Challenges to Public Awareness and Survivor Support" published on December 11, 2023. The bill also mandates the OVC to coordinate with the Office on Trafficking in Persons of the Administration for Children and Families to develop and implement strategies to prevent child trafficking and support survivors.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to strengthen existing anti-trafficking programs for children by ensuring continued implementation of GAO recommendations. It also requires the OVC to establish achievable performance goals and targets for these programs. A report detailing the steps taken to implement these recommendations must be submitted to the Judiciary Committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives within 180 days of the Act's enactment.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced coordination between the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office on Trafficking in Persons.
- Improved strategies for preventing child trafficking.
- Better support for child trafficking survivors.
- Increased accountability through mandated reporting to Congress.
- Data-driven performance goals for anti-trafficking programs.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucratic burden on the Office for Victims of Crime.
- Possible overlap or duplication of efforts with existing programs.
- The effectiveness of the Act depends on the quality and implementation of the GAO recommendations.
- The bill does not allocate specific funding, which may hinder implementation.
- Limited scope, focusing primarily on continued implementation rather than addressing root causes.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to protect children and prevent trafficking. Congress has the power to enact legislation necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers, including providing for the general welfare. The focus on data-driven performance goals also aligns with the principle of efficient governance.
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).