Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act
The Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act would require the Secretary of Labor to create and implement a training program for selected Department of Labor personnel to better identify and refer potential human trafficking cases to law enforcement and appropriate authorities. The training, to be in place within 180 days of enactment, would be tailored to the duties of the employees and, for Wage and Hour Division staff, take into account states with rising oppressive child labor. The program would cover how to detect trafficking, identify potential victims and traffickers, and how to refer cases to the Department of Justice and other authorities, with a focus on protecting victims’ rights and coordinating with victim advocacy groups and other government bodies. The Act also requires regular evaluations of the training and annual reports to Congress detailing training effectiveness and the handling/responses to trafficking cases referred by the Department of Labor.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a training program for certain Department of Labor employees to detect and assist in preventing human trafficking, due within 180 days of enactment.
- 2Training is targeted to employees the Secretary determines should receive it based on their duties, with special consideration for Wage and Hour Division staff in states with significant oppressive child labor issues.
- 3Training content may be delivered in-person or online and must cover location-appropriate topics, current trends, detection methods for victims and suspected traffickers, and clear referral procedures to DoJ and other authorities, including collaboration with victim advocacy groups while respecting privacy laws.
- 4Each trainee must receive an evaluation after completing the training.
- 5Requires annual reports to Congress on training activities, effectiveness, completion numbers, and the number of trafficking-detection cases referred to DoJ and other authorities, plus the processes used to track responses.