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117-s-2991117th Congress

Countering Human Trafficking Act of 2021

Sponsored By: Senator Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

Became Law

Summary

Creates the Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) inside DHS’s Homeland Security Investigations to coordinate law enforcement, victim protection, prevention, and public awareness. The law sets staff roles, operational and protection units, and a data modernization plan to speed victim identification and strengthen trafficking investigations.

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  • Victims and survivors gain a formal, victim-centered structure. CCHT must operate a comprehensive Continued Presence program and shape DHS training and screening to improve identification and support.
  • Law enforcement and supply-chain efforts are centralized. An Operations Unit will support criminal investigations of sex trafficking and forced labor, develop and track leads, apply analytics, and augment enforcement against imports produced with forced labor through audits and suspension and debarment actions.
  • DHS operations and partners get new capacity and tools. The CCHT Director will be a Senior Executive Service official, the center must be staffed with at least 45 employees, the Blue Campaign moves into CCHT, and an Information Modernization Initiative will push analytics, artificial intelligence, and faster data sharing. The law also requires annual reporting on screened and identified potential trafficking victims at or near the U.S.-Mexico border.

*Authorizes $14.0 million in additional appropriations for DHS to implement the law, increasing federal outlays by that amount, subject to appropriations.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New Homeland Security center fights trafficking

The law creates the Center for Countering Human Trafficking inside Homeland Security. It runs two units: one backs criminal cases and forced-labor import enforcement; the other protects victims and runs public awareness. The center operates the Continued Presence program and takes over the Blue Campaign. It must have at least 45 staff, and the Secretary can move related Homeland Security work into the center within 180 days with 30 days’ notice to Congress. The Director, with Homeland Security’s science office, must modernize data systems and send the strategy to Congress.

$14 million for anti-trafficking center

The law authorizes $14 million for this work. The money stays available until spent. It supports staffing, training, public awareness, and data upgrades at the center. Congress still must appropriate the funds.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

MI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 10/18/2021

  • Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 2/17/2022

  • Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 2/17/2022

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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