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LaMalfa Supports Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking

July 12, 2017

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the House passed several bills that will help to combat human trafficking.

LaMalfa said: "In Congress, we often disagree on many issues, but the severity and urgency of human trafficking is not one of them. Congress must take action to protect those that are vulnerable and hold accountable those who participate in such a heinous act. Today, we are continuing our commitment to combatting human trafficking by passing legislation to increase training to detect trafficking, protect potential victims, and provide our law enforcement with better tools to combat sex trafficking. The Administration has shown that they too are committed to rooting out human trafficking, and the bills we've passed this Congress will help them to do that."

H.R. 2664, the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, directs the Secretary of Labor to train Department of Labor (DOL) personnel to detect trafficking and assist law enforcement in preventing trafficking.

H.R. 2480, the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act, expands the ability of the Department of Justice's Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants Program to enable law enforcement agencies to compete for federal funding, specifically to develop and carry out programs that fight sex trafficking demand.

H.R. 2200, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2017, reauthorizes funding through 2021 for the United States Government multi-agency international and domestic anti-human trafficking efforts

  • Strengthens oversight at State department and US funded operations by enhancing reporting and training requirements for US procurement officers on foreign products linked to funding human trafficking.
  • Allows any pre-existing grant money to be used for education to children to avoid traffickers.

*In May, the House passed additional legislation to combat child abuse and human trafficking.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.