S.48 - Stopping the Abuse, Victimization, and Exploitation of Girls Act; SAVE Girls Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The SAVE Girls Act (S.48) aims to combat the smuggling and trafficking of children and young women by establishing a federal grant program. This program would be administered by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of State. It would provide grants to various entities, including states, Indian tribes, local governments, and non-profit organizations.
The primary focus of the grant program is to prevent the smuggling of children and young women (ages 12-24) across U.S. borders. It also aims to support those who have already been smuggled or are at risk of becoming victims of child sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking in persons.
The act authorizes an appropriation of $50,000,000 to the Attorney General for these grants, which would remain available until expended.
Expected Effects
The Act would likely lead to increased funding for programs designed to prevent child smuggling and trafficking. This could result in more resources for law enforcement, victim support services, and preventative measures. It may also lead to better coordination among federal, state, and local agencies in addressing these issues.
Furthermore, the Act could empower non-profit organizations working in this field by providing them with additional financial support. The rule of construction clarifies that the Act does not create a private cause of action against the United States or its employees.
Potential Benefits
- Increased resources for combating child trafficking: The grant program would provide significant funding to address this issue.
- Enhanced prevention efforts: The focus on preventing smuggling across borders could reduce the number of victims.
- Improved support for victims: The Act aims to provide assistance to those who have already been trafficked or are at risk.
- Better coordination among agencies: The involvement of multiple federal agencies could lead to more effective strategies.
- Empowerment of non-profit organizations: Grants would support the work of organizations dedicated to combating trafficking.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for misuse of funds: As with any grant program, there is a risk that funds could be mismanaged or used for unintended purposes.
- Limited scope: The Act focuses primarily on smuggling across borders, potentially neglecting other forms of trafficking.
- Insufficient funding: $50 million may not be enough to address the full scope of the problem nationwide.
- Lack of specific performance metrics: The Act does not specify how the effectiveness of the grant program will be measured.
- Potential for unintended consequences: Increased enforcement efforts could inadvertently harm victims or drive trafficking further underground.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution (Preamble), as it aims to protect vulnerable populations and promote public safety. Congress has the power to enact laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers (Article I, Section 8), and combating human trafficking falls within this purview. The grant program established by the Act does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, respectively, or to the people. The federal government must be careful not to unduly infringe upon the states' traditional authority in law enforcement and social services. The Act mitigates this concern by allowing grants to state and local entities, supporting their existing efforts.
The Act's rule of construction, clarifying that it does not create a private cause of action against the United States, helps to avoid potential legal challenges based on sovereign immunity.
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).