Sponsors (4)
The bill directs federal grant funding to states, tribes, localities, and nonprofits to prevent smuggling and provide targeted services for 12–24-year-old trafficking victims—strengthening local capacity and tribal access—while leaving potential gaps due to limited overall funding, an age-restricted focus, administrative barriers for small providers, and no private enforcement remedy.
State, tribal, and local governments and nonprofits will receive grant funding (a $50 million authorization, available until expended) to build and sustain programs that prevent smuggling of 12–24-year-olds and provide victim services, increasing local prevention capacity.
Children and young adults aged 12–24 who were smuggled or are at risk of sex trafficking will gain access to targeted prevention and victim support services funded by the program.
Indian tribes are explicitly eligible for grants, enabling tribal governments and service providers to deliver culturally appropriate prevention and services for tribal communities.
Children, young adults, and service providers may face unmet needs because the $50 million authorization could be insufficient to support nationwide prevention and victim services at scale.
Younger children (under 12) and older victims (over 24) could be excluded from these new services because the program is limited to ages 12–24, leaving gaps in protection and assistance.
Tribes and small nonprofits may face administrative burdens from federal grant application and compliance requirements, making it harder for them to access funds and deliver services.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal grant program to prevent smuggling and support persons ages 12–24 at risk of or victimized by child sex trafficking or severe trafficking, authorizing $50M.
Introduced January 9, 2025 by Marsha Blackburn · Last progress January 9, 2025
Creates a federal grant program to prevent smuggling of and provide services to persons aged 12–24 who are smuggled into the United States or who are victims of, or at risk for, child sex trafficking or severe trafficking in persons. Grants may be awarded to States, Indian tribes, units of local government, and nonprofit victims’ service organizations, with program authority shared between the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretary of State. Authorizes $50,000,000 to the Attorney General for these grants, available until expended, and includes a rule that the new grant authority does not create a private right of action against the United States or its officers or employees.