Noem Introduces Human Trafficking Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery Act

Press Release

Rep. Kristi Noem today introduced the bipartisan Human Trafficking Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery Act (H.R.5135). The legislation works to better prevent and intervene when trafficking or attempted trafficking occurs while also opening up additional resources for survivors who are working to recover.

"My kids are my life and to think that thousands of teenagers just like them become victims of the trafficking industry every year is heartbreaking," said Rep. Noem. "My hope is that this legislation will give caregivers, state law enforcement officers, and others more tools to prevent and intervene when necessary as well as offer survivors the resources they need to rise above the circumstances."

Rep. Noem's legislation, which has been co-sponsored by 29 Members of Congress thus far and endorsed by Shared Hope International and Human Rights Project for Girls, takes a three-pronged approach in combating human trafficking:

Launches a review by the Interagency Task-Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking that will look into federal and state trafficking prevention activities. The review will be done in consultation with nongovernmental organizations and will work to identify and develop best practices to prevent trafficking.

Requires an inventory of existing federal anti-trafficking efforts by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office to make sure all federal agencies and programs work together and that federal resources are being targeted where needed.

Improves existing Department of Justice grants, allowing the grants to also support shelters for survivors. Currently, there are just 200 beds available in the United States for underage victims.

"The number one concern I've heard from anti-trafficking advocates in South Dakota is that there is a lack of shelters available to survivors," said Rep. Noem. "We need to give kids a way out, but without a place to stay at night, it's easier for these kids to turn back to their traffickers. My bill opens the door for local shelters to get the support they need to house survivors and get these young people started on their path to recovery."
Rep. Noem has been a long-time leader on the issue of combatting trafficking in Congress. Noem currently serves on a congressional task force in charge of developing stronger legislative solutions and has been invited to participate in a congressional appropriations hearing on the issue. In May 2014, Rep. Noem helped lead the U.S. House of Representatives in passing a comprehensive package of bills that allocates more resources for survivors, offers more tools to go after traffickers and those that solicit the services of a trafficked individual, and puts policies in place that lawmakers hope will better prevent trafficking.

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