Sponsors (4)
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced January 9, 2025 by Marsha Blackburn · Last progress January 9, 2025
Creates a new federal grant program, authorizing $50 million, to prevent smuggling of people ages 12–24 across U.S. borders and to support those ages 12–24 who were smuggled in or are at risk of child sex trafficking or other severe trafficking. The Attorney General and the HHS Secretary (in consultation with the Secretary of State) may award grants to states, Indian tribes, local governments, and nonprofit victim service organizations to carry out prevention and survivor support activities. The provision specifies the funding level and clarifies it does not create a private cause of action against the U.S. or its employees.
Amends Section 107 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7105) by striking subsection (d) and inserting a new subsection (d) that establishes a grant program to combat smuggling and trafficking of children and young women.
Authorizes the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to award grants to States, Indian tribes, units of local government, and nonprofit, nongovernmental victims' service organizations to combat the smuggling and trafficking of children and young women.
Specifies the primary focus of the grant program is (A) to prevent the smuggling of children and young women between 12 and 24 years of age across the borders of the United States.
Specifies the primary focus of the grant program is (B) to provide support for children and young women between 12 and 24 years of age who have been smuggled into the United States or who have been or are at risk of becoming victims of child sex trafficking or a severe form of trafficking in persons.
Authorizes $50,000,000 to be appropriated to the Attorney General to be used for grants authorized under the new subsection (d); those funds shall remain available until expended.
Directly affected groups include youth aged 12–24 who are vulnerable to cross-border smuggling and child sex trafficking, and organizations and governments that provide prevention and victim services. States, Tribal governments, and local governments that operate border and community-level programs could apply for new funding to expand outreach, prevention, case management, shelter, legal services, and other victim supports. Nonprofit victim service organizations are primary implementers and likely direct grantees or subgrantees; the grant funds could enhance their capacity for identification, trauma-informed care, and aftercare for survivors. Federal agencies (Department of Justice and HHS) will manage program design, application processes, oversight, and interagency coordination with the State Department. The authorized $50 million provides dedicated resources but is modest relative to national needs; program impact will depend on how funds are allocated, eligibility criteria, and whether Congress appropriates the authorized amount. The provision does not impose new obligations on states or localities (participation is voluntary through grant applications), and it explicitly prevents a private right of action against the U.S., limiting legal exposure for federal agencies and employees.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate
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