On Tuesday, November 29, 2016, the House will consider H.R. 5422, to ensure funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and for other purposes, under suspension of the rules. H.R. 5422 was introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) on June 9, 2016, and was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, which ordered the bill reported by voice vote on November 16, 2016.
H.R. 5422 provides a technical change to Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 to ensure that the Department of Health and Human Services is able to continue to provide grants to support the operation of the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a national, toll-free hotline, available to answer calls from anywhere in the United States, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in more than 200 languages. The Hotline’s mission is to connect human trafficking victims and survivors to critical support and services to get help and stay safe, and to equip the anti-trafficking community with the tools to effectively combat all forms of human trafficking.[1]
The National Hotline has been in operation since December 7th, 2007, by Polaris, a non-profit, non-governmental organization. Funding is provided by federal grants administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other private donors and supporters.[2] H.R. 5422 provides a technical change to ensure that HHS can continue to award grants for the operation of the Hotline.
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[1] See National Human Trafficking Hotline website, Mission[2] Id.
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate is currently not available. However, the bill does not authorize new spending.
For questions or further information please contact John Huston with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 6-5539.