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H.R. 4601 115th Congress House

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017

Official title: To prioritize the fight against human trafficking in the United States.

Introduced: December 7, 2017 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Adoption and foster careAdvisory bodiesBorder security and unlawful immigrationChild safety and welfare
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Civil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightCrime preventionCrime victimsCrimes against childrenCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartment of JusticeDepartment of LaborElementary and secondary educationExecutive agency funding and structureFamily relationshipsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsHuman traffickingInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaJudicial procedure and administrationLabor standardsLaw enforcement administration and fundingLaw enforcement officersPornographyPublic-private cooperationSex offensesTeaching, teachers, curriculaTravel and tourism
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 22, 2018
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Dec 7, 2017
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Dec 7, 2017
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 22, 2018

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017

This bill specifies that Community Oriented Policing Services program grants to hire school resource officers may also be used to train such officers to recognize and respond to signs of human trafficking.

It reauthorizes through FY2022 the Creating Hope Through Outreach, Options, Services, and Education for Children and Youth (i.e., CHOOSE Children & Youth) grant program.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) may bring a civil action to stop or prevent criminal offenses, including trafficking, child sexual exploitation and abuse, or sexual abuse.

The bill revises and expands the functions and duties of the National Center on Missing and Exploited Children.

It broadens the authority of the U.S. Secret Service to provide forensic and investigative assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies.

The bill reauthorizes through FY2021 several trafficking prevention and law enforcement programs, including for foreign victim assistance.

The bill formally establishes the Office of Victim Assistance within Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

It makes 1% of the Crime Victims Fund available for direct assistance services for crime victims.

The bill directs certain federal agencies to periodically improve human trafficking training programs for employees.

DOJ must establish a victim screening protocol for use during anti-trafficking law enforcement operations.

It prioritizes, with respect to juvenile and family court grants, programs that improve the judicial response to children vulnerable to human trafficking.

This bill establishes the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • HR 7271 Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking Act
  • S 3354 Missing Children's Assistance Act of 2018
  • HR 1808 Improving Support for Missing and Exploited Children Act of 2017
  • S 1312 Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1 Republican 1
R
Norman, Ralph
South Carolina · May 9, 2018
 D
Moore, Gwen
Wisconsin · Dec 7, 2017
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4601: Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4601/
MLA
"H.R. 4601: Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4601/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4601, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4601/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4601: Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4601/)
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