House Passes Bill To Prevent Sex Trafficking, Strengthen Vulnerable Children and Families

Press Release

On Wednesday, July 23, 2014, the House of Representatives unanimously approved H.R. 4980, the "Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act." This bipartisan, bicameral bill reflects agreements reached between House and Senate leaders on three separate bills designed to prevent sex trafficking of children in foster care, increase adoptions from foster care, and increase child support collections for families, among other purposes. H.R. 4980 is fully paid for, and will reduce the deficit by $19 million over 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The Senate is expected to consider this legislation in the coming days.

Speaking about the passage of the bill, Chairman Camp said, "This bill will not only help prevent sex trafficking and strengthen the child support system, but it will also help ensure more children in foster care move into adoptive homes more quickly. We have already seen great progress in increasing adoptions in recent years, and it is my hope that we can continue this progress once this bill is signed into law."

Human Resources Subcommittee Chairman Reichert said, "I can't think of a more important, or more bipartisan, topic than protecting vulnerable children in foster care and working to find loving homes for each of them. This legislation represents bipartisan, bicameral progress in protecting our nation's most vulnerable kids, and I'm grateful that this bill has now passed the House -- bringing it one step closer to becoming law. I look forward to quick action by the Senate so these key reforms can be implemented without delay."

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