PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 

ABOLISH HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2017 


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132 STAT. 5250 PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 

Public Law 115–392 

115th Congress 

An Act 

To provide assistance in abolishing human trafficking in the United States. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Abolish Human 

Trafficking Act of 2017’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 

is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

Sec. 2. Preserving Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund. 

Sec. 3. Mandatory restitution for victims of commercial sexual exploitation. 

Sec. 4. Victim-witness assistance in sexual exploitation cases. 

Sec. 5. Victim protection training for the Department of Homeland Security. 

Sec. 6. Direct services for child victims of human trafficking. 

Sec. 7. Holistic training for Federal law enforcement officers and prosecutors. 

Sec. 8. Best practices in delivering justice for victims of trafficking. 

Sec. 9. Improving the national strategy to combat human trafficking. 

Sec. 10. Specialized human trafficking training and technical assistance for service 

providers. Sec. 11. Enhanced penalties for human trafficking, child exploitation, and repeat 

offenders. 

Sec. 12. Targeting organized human trafficking perpetrators. 

Sec. 13. Investigating complex human trafficking networks. 

Sec. 14. Combating sex tourism. 

Sec. 15. Human Trafficking Justice Coordinators. 

Sec. 16. Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking. 

Sec. 17. Additional reporting on crime. 

Sec. 18. Strengthening the national human trafficking hotline. 

Sec. 19. Ending Government partnerships with the commercial sex industry. 

Sec. 20. Understanding the effects of severe forms of trafficking in persons. 

Sec. 21. Combating trafficking in persons. 

Sec. 22. Grant accountability. 

Sec. 23. HERO Act improvements. 

SEC. 2. PRESERVING DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING VICTIMS’ FUND. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

the Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund established under section 

3014 of title 18, United States Code— 

(1) is intended to supplement, and not supplant, any other 

funding for domestic trafficking victims; and 

(2) has achieved the objective described in paragraph (1) 

since the establishment of the Fund. 

(b) ENSURING FULL FUNDING.—Section 3014 of title 18, United 

States Code, is amended— 

(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 

(1), by striking ‘‘September 30, 2019’’ and inserting ‘‘September 

30, 2021’’; 

(2) in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘2019’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; 

18 USC 1 note. 

Abolish Human 

Trafficking Act 

of 2017. 

Dec. 21, 2018 

[S. 1311] 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 132 STAT. 5251 

(3) in subsection (f), by inserting ‘‘, including the mandatory 

imposition of civil remedies for satisfaction of an unpaid fine 

as authorized under section 3613, where appropriate’’ after 

‘‘criminal cases’’; and 

(4) in subsection (h)(3), by inserting ‘‘and child victims 

of a severe form of trafficking (as defined in section 103 of 

the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 

(22 U.S.C. 7102))’’ after ‘‘child pornography victims’’. 

SEC. 3. MANDATORY RESTITUTION FOR VICTIMS OF COMMERCIAL 

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. 

(a) AMENDMENT.—Chapter 117 of title 18, United States Code, 

is amended by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘§ 2429. Mandatory restitution 

‘‘(a) Notwithstanding section 3663 or 3663A, and in addition 

to any other civil or criminal penalty authorized by law, the court 

shall order restitution for any offense under this chapter. 

‘‘(b)(1) The order of restitution under this section shall direct 

the defendant to pay the victim (through the appropriate court 

mechanism) the full amount of the victim’s losses, as determined 

by the court under paragraph (3), and shall additionally require 

the defendant to pay the greater of the gross income or value 

to the defendant of the victim’s services, if the services constitute 

commercial sex acts as defined under section 1591. 

‘‘(2) An order of restitution under this section shall be issued 

and enforced in accordance with section 3664 in the same manner 

as an order under section 3663A. 

‘‘(3) As used in this subsection, the term ‘full amount of the 

victim’s losses’ has the same meaning as provided in section 

2259(b)(3). 

‘‘(c) The forfeiture of property under this section shall be governed by the provisions of section 413 (other than subsection (d) 

of such section) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 853). 

‘‘(d) As used in this section, the term ‘victim’ means the individual harmed as a result of a crime under this chapter, including, 

in the case of a victim who is under 18 years of age, incompetent, 

incapacitated, or deceased, the legal guardian of the victim or 

a representative of the victim’s estate, or another family member, 

or any other person appointed as suitable by the court, but in 

no event shall the defendant be named such representative or 

guardian.’’. 

(b) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections for chapter 117 

of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 

the item relating to section 2428 the following: 

‘‘2429. Mandatory restitution.’’. 

SEC. 4. VICTIM-WITNESS ASSISTANCE IN SEXUAL EXPLOITATION 

CASES. 

(a) AVAILABILITY OF DOJ APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 524(c)(1)(B) 

of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘, chapter 

110 of title 18’’ after ‘‘chapter 77 of title 18’’. 

(b) AMENDMENT TO TITLE 31.—Section 9705(a)(2)(B)(v) of title 

31, United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘, chapter 109A 

of title 18 (relating to sexual abuse), chapter 110 of title 18 (relating 

to child sexual exploitation), or chapter 117 of title 18 (relating 

18 USC 2421 

prec. 

Definition. 

Definition. 

Determination. 

Courts. 

18 USC 2429. 


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132 STAT. 5252 PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 

to transportation for illegal sexual activity and related crimes)’’ 

after ‘‘(relating to human trafficking)’’. 

SEC. 5. VICTIM PROTECTION TRAINING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF 

HOMELAND SECURITY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IX of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (6 U.S.C. 641 et seq.) is amended by adding 

at the end the following: 

‘‘SEC. 906. VICTIM PROTECTION TRAINING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF 

HOMELAND SECURITY. 

‘‘(a) DIRECTIVE TO DHS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND

TASK FORCES.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 

of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a directive 

to— 

‘‘(A) all Federal law enforcement officers and relevant 

personnel employed by the Department who may be 

involved in the investigation of human trafficking offenses; 

and 

‘‘(B) members of all task forces led by the Department 

that participate in the investigation of human trafficking 

offenses. 

‘‘(2) REQUIRED INSTRUCTIONS.—The directive required to 

be issued under paragraph (1) shall include instructions on— 

‘‘(A) the investigation of individuals who patronize or 

solicit human trafficking victims as being engaged in severe 

trafficking in persons and how such individuals should 

be investigated for their roles in severe trafficking in persons; and 

‘‘(B) how victims of sex or labor trafficking often engage 

in criminal acts as a direct result of severe trafficking 

in persons and such individuals are victims of a crime 

and affirmative measures should be taken to avoid 

arresting, charging, or prosecuting such individuals for any 

offense that is the direct result of their victimization. 

‘‘(b) VICTIM SCREENING PROTOCOL.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 

of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a 

screening protocol for use during all anti-trafficking law enforcement operations in which the Department is involved. 

‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The protocol required to be issued 

under paragraph (1) shall— 

‘‘(A) require the individual screening of all adults and 

children who are suspected of engaging in commercial sex 

acts, child labor that is a violation of law, or work in 

violation of labor standards to determine whether each 

individual screened is a victim of human trafficking; 

‘‘(B) require affirmative measures to avoid arresting, 

charging, or prosecuting human trafficking victims for any 

offense that is the direct result of their victimization; 

‘‘(C) be developed in consultation with relevant interagency partners and nongovernmental organizations that 

specialize in the prevention of human trafficking or in 

the identification and support of victims of human trafficking and survivors of human trafficking; and 

‘‘(D) include— 

Consultation. 

Deadline. 

Deadline. 

6 USC 645. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 132 STAT. 5253 

‘‘(i) procedures and practices to ensure that the 

screening process minimizes trauma or revictimization 

of the person being screened; and 

‘‘(ii) guidelines on assisting victims of human trafficking in identifying and receiving restorative services. 

‘‘(c) MANDATORY TRAINING.—The training described in sections 

902 and 904 shall include training necessary to implement— 

‘‘(1) the directive required under subsection (a); and 

‘‘(2) the protocol required under subsection (b).’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 

in section 1(b) of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 

2015 (Public Law 114–22; 129 Stat. 227) is amended by inserting 

after the item relating to section 905 the following: 

‘‘Sec. 906. Victim protection training for the Department of Homeland Security.’’. 

SEC. 6. DIRECT SERVICES FOR CHILD VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. 

Section 214(b) of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (34 

U.S.C. 20304(b)) is amended— 

(1) in the heading by inserting ‘‘CHILD VICTIMS OF A SEVERE

FORM OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AND’’ before ‘‘VICTIMS OF

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY’’; and 

(2) by inserting ‘‘victims of a severe form of trafficking 

(as defined in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection 

Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(9)(A))) who were under the age 

of 18 at the time of the offense and’’ before ‘‘victims of child 

pornography’’. 

SEC. 7. HOLISTIC TRAINING FOR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND PROSECUTORS. 

All training required under the Combat Human Trafficking 

Act of 2015 (34 U.S.C. 20709) and section 105(c)(4) of the Trafficking 

Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7105(c)(4)) shall— 

(1) emphasize that an individual who knowingly solicits 

or patronizes a commercial sex act from a person who was 

a minor (consistent with section 1591(c) of title 18, United 

States Code) or was subject to force, fraud, or coercion is 

guilty of an offense under chapter 77 of title 18, United States 

Code, and is a party to a human trafficking offense; 

(2) develop specific curriculum for— 

(A) under appropriate circumstances, arresting and 

prosecuting buyers of commercial sex, child labor that is 

a violation of law, or forced labor as a form of primary 

prevention; and 

(B) investigating and prosecuting individuals who 

knowingly benefit financially from participation in a venture that has engaged in any act of human trafficking; 

and 

(3) specify that any comprehensive approach to eliminating 

human trafficking shall include a demand reduction component. 

SEC. 8. BEST PRACTICES IN DELIVERING JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF 

TRAFFICKING. 

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Attorney General shall issue guidance to all offices and 

components of the Department of Justice— 

Deadline. 

Guidance. 

37 USC 20701 

note. 

34 USC 20709a. 

Guidelines. 

Procedures. 


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132 STAT. 5254 PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 

(1) emphasizing that an individual who knowingly solicits 

or patronizes a commercial sex act from a person who was 

a minor (consistent with section 1591(c) of title 18, United 

States Code) or was subject to force, fraud, or coercion is 

guilty of an offense under chapter 77 of title 18, United States 

Code, and is a party to a severe form of trafficking in persons, 

as that term is defined in section 103(9) of the Trafficking 

Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(9)); 

(2) recommending and implementing best practices for the 

collection of special assessments under section 3014 of title 

18, United States Code, as added by section 101 of the Justice 

for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–22; 

129 Stat. 228), including a directive that civil liens are an 

authorized collection method and remedy under section 3613 

of title 18, United States Code; and 

(3) clarifying that commercial sexual exploitation is a form 

of gender-based violence. 

SEC. 9. IMPROVING THE NATIONAL STRATEGY TO COMBAT HUMAN 

TRAFFICKING. 

Section 606(b) of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act 

of 2015 (34 U.S.C. 20711(b)) is amended by adding at the end 

the following: 

‘‘(6) A national strategy to prevent human trafficking and 

reduce demand for human trafficking victims.’’. 

SEC. 10. SPECIALIZED HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 111 of the Violence Against Women 

and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 

20708) is amended— 

(1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘LAW ENFORCEMENT

TRAINING PROGRAMS’’ and inserting ‘‘SPECIALIZED HUMAN

TRAFFICKING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR

SERVICE PROVIDERS’’; 

(2) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘means a State or 

a local government.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘means— 

‘‘(A) a State or unit of local government; 

‘‘(B) a federally recognized Indian tribal government, 

as determined by the Secretary of the Interior; 

‘‘(C) a victim service provider; 

‘‘(D) a nonprofit or for-profit organization (including 

a tribal nonprofit or for-profit organization); 

‘‘(E) a national organization; or 

‘‘(F) an institution of higher education (including tribal 

institutions of higher education).’’; 

(3) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: 

‘‘(b) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—The Attorney General may award 

grants to eligible entities to— 

‘‘(1) provide training to identify and protect victims of trafficking; 

‘‘(2) improve the quality and quantity of services offered 

to trafficking survivors; and 

‘‘(3) improve victim service providers’ partnerships with 

Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies and 

other relevant entities.’’; and 

(4) in subsection (c)— 

(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 132 STAT. 5255 

(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the 

end and inserting a semicolon; and 

(C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: 

‘‘(4) provide technical assistance on the range of services 

available to victim service providers who serve trafficking victims; 

‘‘(5) develop and distribute materials, including materials 

identifying best practices in accordance with Federal law and 

policies, to support victim service providers working with 

human trafficking victims; 

‘‘(6) identify and disseminate other publicly available materials in accordance with Federal law to help build capacity 

of service providers; 

‘‘(7) provide training at relevant conferences, through 

webinars, or through other mechanisms in accordance with 

Federal law; or 

‘‘(8) assist service providers in developing additional 

resources such as partnerships with Federal, State, tribal, and 

local law enforcement agencies and other relevant entities in 

order to access a range of available services in accordance 

with Federal law.’’. 

(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of 

contents in section 2 of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109– 

162; 119 Stat. 2960) is amended by striking the item relating 

to section 111 and inserting the following: 

‘‘Sec. 111. Grants for specialized human trafficking training and technical assistance for service providers.’’. 

SEC. 11. ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, CHILD 

EXPLOITATION, AND REPEAT OFFENDERS. 

Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in chapter 77— 

(A) in section 1583(a), in the flush text following paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘not more than 20 years’’ and 

inserting ‘‘not more than 30 years’’; 

(B) in section 1587, by striking ‘‘four years’’ and 

inserting ‘‘10 years’’; and 

(C) in section 1591(d), by striking ‘‘20 years’’ and 

inserting ‘‘25 years’’; and 

(2) in section 2426— 

(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘twice’’ and inserting 

‘‘3 times’’; and 

(B) in subsection (b)(1)(B) by striking ‘‘paragraph (1)’’ 

and inserting ‘‘subparagraph (A)’’. 

SEC. 12. TARGETING ORGANIZED HUMAN TRAFFICKING PERPETRATORS. 

Section 521(c) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 

(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); 

(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: 

‘‘(3) a Federal offense involving human trafficking, sexual 

abuse, sexual exploitation, or transportation for prostitution 

or any illegal sexual activity; and’’; and 

(4) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by striking ‘‘(1) 

or (2)’’ and inserting ‘‘(1), (2), or (3)’’. 


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132 STAT. 5256 PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 

SEC. 13. INVESTIGATING COMPLEX HUMAN TRAFFICKING NETWORKS. 

Section 2516 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in subsection (1)(c)— 

(A) by inserting ‘‘section 1582 (vessels for slave trade), 

section 1583 (enticement into slavery),’’ after ‘‘section 1581 

(peonage),’’; and 

(B) by inserting ‘‘section 1585 (seizure, detention, 

transportation or sale of slaves), section 1586 (service on 

vessels in slave trade), section 1587 (possession of slaves 

aboard vessel), section 1588 (transportation of slaves from 

United States),’’ after ‘‘section 1584 (involuntary servitude),’’; and 

(2) in subsection (2)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘kidnapping human’’ and inserting ‘‘kidnapping, human’’; and 

(B) by striking ‘‘production, ,’’ and inserting ‘‘production, prostitution,’’. 

SEC. 14. COMBATING SEX TOURISM. 

Section 2423 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘for the purpose’’ and 

inserting ‘‘with a motivating purpose’’; and 

(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘for the purpose of 

engaging’’ and inserting ‘‘with a motivating purpose of 

engaging’’. 

SEC. 15. HUMAN TRAFFICKING JUSTICE COORDINATORS. 

Section 606 of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 

2015 (34 U.S.C. 20711) is amended— 

(1) in subsection (b)(1)— 

(A) by striking subparagraph (B); and 

(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as 

subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(c) HUMAN TRAFFICKING JUSTICE COORDINATORS.—The 

Attorney General shall designate in each Federal judicial district 

not less than 1 assistant United States attorney to serve as the 

Human Trafficking Coordinator for the district who, in addition 

to any other responsibilities, works with a human trafficking victimwitness specialist and shall be responsible for— 

‘‘(1) implementing the National Strategy with respect to 

all forms of human trafficking, including labor trafficking and 

sex trafficking; 

‘‘(2) prosecuting, or assisting in the prosecution of, human 

trafficking cases; 

‘‘(3) conducting public outreach and awareness activities 

relating to human trafficking; 

‘‘(4) ensuring the collection of data required to be collected 

under clause (viii) of section 105(d)(7)(Q) of the Trafficking 

Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(d)(7)(Q)), as 

added by section 17 of the Abolish Human Trafficking Act 

of 2017, is sought; 

‘‘(5) coordinating with other Federal agencies, State, tribal, 

and local law enforcement agencies, victim service providers, 

and other relevant non-governmental organizations to build 

partnerships on activities relating to human trafficking; and 

Designation. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 132 STAT. 5257 

‘‘(6) ensuring the collection of restitution for victims is 

sought as required to be ordered under section 1593 of title 

18, United States Code, and section 2429 of such title, as 

added by section 3 of the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 

2017. 

‘‘(d) DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COORDINATOR.—Not later than 

60 days after the date of enactment of the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017, the Attorney General shall designate an official 

who shall coordinate human trafficking efforts within the Department of Justice who, in addition to any other responsibilities, shall 

be responsible for— 

‘‘(1) coordinating, promoting, and supporting the work of 

the Department of Justice relating to human trafficking, 

including investigation, prosecution, training, outreach, victim 

support, grant-making, and policy activities; 

‘‘(2) in consultation with survivors of human trafficking, 

or anti-human trafficking organizations, producing and disseminating, including making publicly available when appropriate, 

replication guides and training materials for law enforcement 

officers, prosecutors, judges, emergency responders, individuals 

working in victim services, adult and child protective services, 

social services, and public safety, medical personnel, mental 

health personnel, financial services personnel, and any other 

individuals whose work may bring them in contact with human 

trafficking regarding how to— 

‘‘(A) identify signs of human trafficking; 

‘‘(B) conduct investigations in human trafficking cases; 

‘‘(C) address evidentiary issues and other legal issues; 

and 

‘‘(D) appropriately assess, respond to, and interact with 

victims and witnesses in human trafficking cases, including 

in administrative, civil, and criminal judicial proceedings; 

and 

‘‘(3) carrying out such other duties as the Attorney General 

determines necessary in connection with enhancing the understanding, prevention, and detection of, and response to, human 

trafficking.’’. 

SEC. 16. INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE TO MONITOR AND COMBAT 

HUMAN TRAFFICKING. 

Section 105(d)(7)(Q) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act 

of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(d)(7)(Q)) is amended— 

(1) in clause (vi), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(viii) the number of convictions obtained under 

chapter 77 of title 18, United States Code, aggregated 

separately by the form of offense committed with 

respect to the victim, including recruiting, enticing, 

harboring, transporting, providing, obtaining, advertising, maintaining, patronizing, or soliciting a human 

trafficking victim; and’’. 

SEC. 17. ADDITIONAL REPORTING ON CRIME. 

Section 237(b) of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims 

Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (28 U.S.C. 534 note) is 

amended— 

(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 

Consultation. 

Deadline. 

Designation. 


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132 STAT. 5258 PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 

(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end 

and inserting a semicolon; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(4) incidents of assisting or promoting prostitution, child 

labor that is a violation of law, or forced labor of an individual 

under the age of 18 as described in paragraph (1); and 

‘‘(5) incidents of purchasing or soliciting commercial sex 

acts, child labor that is a violation of law, or forced labor 

with an individual under the age of 18 as described in paragraph (2).’’. 

SEC. 18. STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE. 

(a) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Section 105(d)(3) of the Victims 

of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 

7103(d)(3)) is amended— 

(1) by inserting ‘‘and providing an annual report on the 

case referrals received from the national human trafficking 

hotline by Federal departments and agencies’’ after ‘‘international trafficking’’; and 

(2) by inserting ‘‘and reporting requirements’’ after ‘‘Any 

data collection procedures’’. 

(b) HOTLINE INFORMATION.—Section 107(b)(1)(B)(ii) of such Act 

(22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1)(B)(ii)) is amended by adding at the end the 

following: ‘‘The number of the national human trafficking hotline 

described in this clause shall be posted in a visible place in all 

Federal buildings.’’. 

SEC. 19. ENDING GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COMMERCIAL SEX INDUSTRY. 

No Federal funds or resources may be used for the operation 

of, participation in, or partnership with any program that involves 

the provision of funding or resources to an organization that— 

(1) has the primary purpose of providing adult entertainment; and 

(2) derives profits from the commercial sex trade. 

SEC. 20. UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF SEVERE FORMS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Title VI of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–22; 129 Stat. 258) is amended 

by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘SEC. 607. UNDERSTANDING THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL 

EFFECTS OF SEVERE FORMS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS. 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The National Institute of Justice and the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall jointly conduct 

a study on the short-term and long-term physical and psychological 

effects of serious harm (as that term is defined in section 1589(c)(2) 

and section 1591(e)(4) of title 18, United States Code, as amended 

by the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–457; 122 Stat. 5044)) in order 

to determine the most effective types of services for individuals 

who are identified as victims of these crimes, including victims 

in cases that were not investigated or prosecuted by any law enforcement agency, and how new or current treatment and programming 

Study. 

34 USC 20701 

note. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 132 STAT. 5259 

options should be tailored to address the unique needs and barriers 

associated with these victims. 

‘‘(b) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017, the National 

Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall make available to the public the results, including any 

associated recommendations, of the study conducted under subsection (a).’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 

in section 1(b) of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 

2015 (Public Law 114–22; 129 Stat. 227) is amended by inserting 

after the item relating to section 606 the following: 

‘‘Sec. 607. Understanding the physical and psychological effects of severe forms of 

trafficking in persons.’’. 

SEC. 21. COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS. 

Section 113 of the Trafficking Victims Prevention Act of 2000 

(22 U.S.C. 7110) is amended— 

(1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ‘‘2014 through 2017’’ 

and inserting ‘‘2018 through 2021’’; and 

(2) in subsection (i), by striking ‘‘2014 through 2017’’ and 

inserting ‘‘2018 through 2021’’. 

SEC. 22. GRANT ACCOUNTABILITY. 

(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 

(1) the term ‘‘covered agency’’ means an agency authorized 

to award grants under this Act; 

(2) the term ‘‘covered grant’’ means a grant authorized 

to be awarded under this Act; and 

(3) the term ‘‘covered official’’ means the head of a covered 

agency. 

(b) ACCOUNTABILITY.—All covered grants shall be subject to 

the following accountability provisions: 

(1) AUDIT REQUIREMENT.— 

(A) DEFINITION.—In this paragraph, the term ‘‘unresolved audit finding’’ means a finding in the final audit 

report of the Inspector General of a covered agency that 

the audited grantee has utilized funds under a covered 

grant for an unauthorized expenditure or otherwise 

unallowable cost that is not closed or resolved within 12 

months from the date when the final audit report is issued. 

(B) AUDITS.—Beginning in the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, and in each 

fiscal year thereafter, the Inspector General of a covered 

agency shall conduct audits of recipients of covered grants 

to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds by grantees. 

The Inspector General shall determine the appropriate 

number of grantees to be audited each year. 

(C) MANDATORY EXCLUSION.—A recipient of funds 

under a covered grant that is found to have an unresolved 

audit finding shall not be eligible to receive funds under 

a covered grant during the first 2 fiscal years beginning 

after the end of the 12-month period described in subparagraph (A). 

(D) PRIORITY.—In awarding covered grants, a covered 

official shall give priority to eligible applicants that did 

not have an unresolved audit finding during the 3 fiscal 

Determination. 

Effective date. 

Time periods. 

34 USC 20704 

note. 

Public 

information. 

Recommendations. 


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132 STAT. 5260 PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 

years before submitting an application for the covered 

grant. 

(E) REIMBURSEMENT.—If an entity is awarded funds 

under a covered grant during the 2-fiscal-year period during 

which the entity is barred from receiving covered grants 

under subparagraph (C), a covered official shall— 

(i) deposit an amount equal to the amount of the 

grant funds that were improperly awarded to the 

grantee into the General Fund of the Treasury; and 

(ii) seek to recoup the costs of the repayment to 

the fund from the recipient of the covered grant that 

was erroneously awarded grant funds. 

(2) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS.— 

(A) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this paragraph and 

each covered grant program, the term ‘‘nonprofit organization’’ means an organization that is described in section 

501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is 

exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code. 

(B) PROHIBITION.—A covered grant may not be awarded 

to a nonprofit organization that holds money in offshore 

accounts for the purpose of avoiding paying the tax 

described in section 511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code 

of 1986. 

(C) DISCLOSURE.—Each nonprofit organization that is 

awarded a covered grant and uses the procedures prescribed in regulations to create a rebuttable presumption 

of reasonableness for the compensation of its officers, directors, trustees, and key employees, shall disclose to the 

applicable covered official, in the application for the covered 

grant, the process for determining such compensation, 

including the independent persons involved in reviewing 

and approving such compensation, the comparability data 

used, and contemporaneous substantiation of the deliberation and decision. Upon request, a covered official shall 

make the information disclosed under this subparagraph 

available for public inspection. 

(3) CONFERENCE EXPENDITURES.— 

(A) LIMITATION.—No amounts made available to a covered agency to carry out a covered grant program may 

be used by a covered official, or by any individual or entity 

awarded discretionary funds through a cooperative agreement under a covered grant program, to host or support 

any expenditure for conferences that uses more than 

$20,000 in funds made available by the covered agency, 

unless the covered official provides prior written authorization that the funds may be expended to host the conference. 

(B) WRITTEN APPROVAL.—Written approval under 

subparagraph (A) shall include a written estimate of all 

costs associated with the conference, including the cost 

of all food, beverages, audio-visual equipment, honoraria 

for speakers, and entertainment. 

(C) REPORT.— 

(i) DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.—The Deputy Attorney 

General shall submit an annual report to the appropriate committees of Congress on all conference 

expenditures approved under this paragraph. 

Cost estimate. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 132 STAT. 5261 

(ii) DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERV- ICES.—The Deputy Secretary of Health and Human 

Services shall submit to the appropriate committees 

of Congress an annual report on all conference expenditures approved under this paragraph. 

(iii) DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.—The 

Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit 

to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual 

report on all conference expenditures approved under 

this paragraph. 

(4) ANNUAL CERTIFICATION.—Beginning in the first fiscal 

year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, each 

covered official shall submit to the appropriate committees 

of Congress an annual certification— 

(A) indicating whether— 

(i) all audits issued by the Office of the Inspector 

General of the applicable covered agency under paragraph (1) have been completed and reviewed by the 

appropriate official; 

(ii) all mandatory exclusions required under paragraph (1)(C) have been issued; and 

(iii) all reimbursements required under paragraph 

(1)(E) have been made; and 

(B) that includes a list of any recipients of a covered 

grant excluded under paragraph (1) from the previous year. 

(c) PREVENTING DUPLICATIVE GRANTS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Before a covered official awards a covered 

grant, the covered official shall compare potential awards under 

the covered grant program with other covered grants awarded 

to determine if duplicate grant awards are awarded for the 

same purpose. 

(2) REPORT.—If a covered official awards duplicate covered 

grants to the same applicant for the same purpose the covered 

official shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 

a report that includes— 

(A) a list of all duplicate covered grants awarded, 

including the total dollar amount of any duplicate covered 

grants awarded; and 

(B) the reason the covered official awarded the duplicate covered grants. 

SEC. 23. HERO ACT IMPROVEMENTS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 890A of the Homeland Security Act 

of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 473) is amended— 

(1) in subsection (a)— 

(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘Homeland Security 

Investigations,’’ after ‘‘Customs Enforcement,’’; and 

(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: 

‘‘(2) PURPOSE.—The Center shall provide investigative 

assistance, training, and equipment to support domestic and 

international investigations of cyber-related crimes by the 

Department.’’; 

(2) in subsection (b)— 

(A) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting after ‘‘personnel’’ 

the following: ‘‘, which shall include participating in 

training for Homeland Security Investigations personnel 

List. 

Effective date. 


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132 STAT. 5262 PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 

conducted by Internet Crimes Against Children Task 

Forces’’; and 

(B) in paragraph (3)— 

(i) in subparagraph (B)— 

(I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 

inserting ‘‘in child exploitation investigations’’ after 

‘‘Enforcement’’; and 

(II) in clause (i), by inserting ‘‘child’’ before 

‘‘victims’’; 

(ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ‘‘child exploitation’’ after ‘‘number of’’; and 

(iii) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ‘‘child exploitation’’ after ‘‘number of’’; and 

(3) in subsection (c)(2)— 

(A) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause 

(i), by inserting ‘‘and administer the Digital Forensics and 

Document and Media Exploitation program’’ after 

‘‘forensics’’; 

(B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ‘‘and emerging 

technologies’’ after ‘‘forensics’’; and 

(C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘and the National 

Association to Protect Children’’ and inserting ‘‘, the 

National Association to Protect Children, and other governmental entities’’. 

(b) HERO CHILD-RESCUE CORPS.—Section 890A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 473) is amended— 

(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); 

(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: 

‘‘(e) HERO CHILD-RESCUE CORPS.— 

‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.— 

‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—There is established within the 

Center a Human Exploitation Rescue Operation ChildRescue Corps Program (referred to in this section as the 

‘HERO Child-Rescue Corps Program’), which shall be a 

Department-wide program, in collaboration with the 

Department of Defense and the National Association to 

Protect Children. 

‘‘(B) PRIVATE SECTOR COLLABORATION.—As part of the 

HERO Child-Rescue Corps Program, the National Association to Protect Children shall provide logistical support 

for program participants. 

‘‘(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the HERO Child-Rescue 

Corps Program shall be to recruit, train, equip, and employ 

members of the Armed Forces on active duty and wounded, 

ill, and injured veterans to combat and prevent child exploitation, including in investigative, intelligence, analyst, inspection, and forensic positions or any other positions determined 

appropriate by the employing agency. 

‘‘(3) FUNCTIONS.—The HERO Child-Rescue Program shall— 

‘‘(A) provide, recruit, train, and equip participants of 

the Program in the areas of digital forensics, investigation, 

analysis, intelligence, and victim identification, as determined by the Center and the needs of the Department; 

and 

‘‘(B) ensure that during the internship period, participants of the Program are assigned to investigate and analyze— 

Collaboration. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 132 STAT. 5263 

‘‘(i) child exploitation; 

‘‘(ii) child pornography; 

‘‘(iii) unidentified child victims; 

‘‘(iv) human trafficking; 

‘‘(v) traveling child sex offenders; and 

‘‘(vi) forced child labor, including the sexual exploitation of minors. 

‘‘(f) PAID INTERNSHIP AND HIRING PROGRAM.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a paid 

internship and hiring program for the purpose of placing 

participants of the HERO Child-Rescue Corps Program (in this 

subsection referred to as ‘participants’) into paid internship 

positions, for the subsequent appointment of the participants 

to permanent positions, as described in the guidelines promulgated under paragraph (3). 

‘‘(2) INTERNSHIP POSITIONS.—Under the paid internship and 

hiring program required to be established under paragraph 

(1), the Secretary shall assign or detail participants to positions 

within United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement 

or any other Federal agency in accordance with the guidelines 

promulgated under paragraph (3). 

‘‘(3) PLACEMENT.— 

‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall promulgate 

guidelines for assigning or detailing participants to positions within United States Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement and other Federal agencies, which shall 

include requirements for internship duties and agreements 

regarding the subsequent appointment of the participants 

to permanent positions. 

‘‘(B) PREFERENCE.—The Secretary shall give a preference to Homeland Security Investigations in assignments 

or details under the guidelines promulgated under subparagraph (A). 

‘‘(4) TERM OF INTERNSHIP.—An appointment to an internship position under this subsection shall be for a term not 

to exceed 12 months. 

‘‘(5) RATE AND TERM OF PAY.—After completion of initial 

group training and upon beginning work at an assigned office, 

a participant appointed to an internship position under this 

subsection who is not receiving monthly basic pay as a member 

of the Armed Forces on active duty shall receive compensation 

at a rate that is— 

‘‘(A) not less than the minimum rate of basic pay 

payable for a position at level GS–5 of the General 

Schedule; and 

‘‘(B) not more than the maximum rate of basic pay 

payable for a position at level GS–7 of the General 

Schedule. 

‘‘(6) ELIGIBILITY.—In establishing the paid internship and 

hiring program required under paragraph (1), the Secretary 

shall ensure that the eligibility requirements for participation 

in the internship program are the same as the eligibility 

requirements for participation in the HERO Child-Rescue Corps 

Program. 

‘‘(7) HERO CORPS HIRING.—The Secretary shall establish 

within Homeland Security Investigations positions, which shall 

be in addition to any positions in existence on the date of 

Guidelines. 


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132 STAT. 5264 PUBLIC LAW 115–392—DEC. 21, 2018 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1311: 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 

Vol. 163 (2017): Sept. 11, considered and passed Senate. 

Vol. 164 (2018): Sept. 28, considered and passed House, amended. 

Dec. 17, Senate concurred in House amendment. 

DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2018): 

Dec. 21, Presidential statement. 

Æ 

enactment of this subsection, for the hiring and permanent 

employment of graduates of the paid internship program 

required to be established under paragraph (1).’’; and 

(3) in subsection (g), as so redesignated— 

(A) by striking ‘‘There are authorized’’ and inserting 

the following: 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized’’; and 

(B) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(2) ALLOCATION.—Of the amount made available pursuant 

to paragraph (1) in each of fiscal years 2019 through 2022, 

not more than $10,000,000 shall be used to carry out subsection 

(e) and not less than $2,000,000 shall be used to carry out 

subsection (f).’’. 

(c) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 302 of 

the HERO Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–22; 129 Stat. 255) is 

amended— 

(1) by striking subsection (c); and 

(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c). 

Approved December 21, 2018. 

6 USC 187. 


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