S 361119th CongressIn Committee

Supporting Victims of Human Trafficking Act

Introduced: Feb 3, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Supporting Victims of Human Trafficking Act, introduced in the Senate on February 3, 2025 (sponsored by Senators Ossoff and Blackburn), would amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to expand flexibility and funding for grants that assist trafficking victims. The core changes shift some grant provisions from mandatory to discretionary decisions, increase the allowable percentages for certain grant components, and boost the share of funds allocated to the main grant category. The measure also adds explicit language about strengthening program administration and budgeting. Overall, it aims to provide more resources and flexibility for victim services and the administration of those programs.

Key Points

1The bill changes mandatory funding language to discretionary: the government “shall” grants to assist victims becomes “may,” giving more flexibility in how grants are awarded.
2Increase in allowable funding shares:
3- Clause (i) can allocate up to 7% (previously 3%).
4- Clause (ii) can allocate up to 10% (previously 5%), and must include a focus on strengthening program administration and budgeting.
5- Clause (iii) remains at up to 1% (previously stated as 1% exactly).
6Subparagraph (C) funding share raised: the portion previously set at 75% is increased to 95%.
7Adds emphasis on administration and budgeting: the bill explicitly allows or directs funds to support stronger program administration and budgeting alongside services.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected:- Victims of trafficking and the organizations that provide direct services to them (nonprofits, shelters, counselors, legal aid, etc.), as well as state and local agencies administering grants.Secondary group/area affected:- Federal grant administrators and funding agencies responsible for distributing TVPA-related grants, with greater discretion and clarified priorities for administration and budgeting.Additional impacts:- Potential change in how funds are allocated across categories, possibly increasing administrative capacity and overall program efficiency, while expanding discretion in funding decisions. The exact effects will depend on how agencies implement the discretionary authority and how grantees adjust to the higher cap on main grant funding.

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