Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-469
Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Crimes against children
Domestic violence and child abuse
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Human trafficking
Intergovernmental relations
Sex offenses
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 

Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2015

 
Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to condition eligibility to receive a state grant for child abuse or neglect prevention and treatment programs on inclusion in the state plan of a certification by the governor that the state has in effect and is enforcing a state law, or is operating a statewide program, that includes provisions and procedures to:
 
 
identify and assess reports involving children who are sex trafficking victims (and which may also involve children who are victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons),
 
train representatives of the state child protective services about identifying and assessing such children, and
 
identify services and procedures for appropriate referral to address the needs of such children.
 
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on:
 
 
the specific type and prevalence of severe forms of trafficking in persons to which children have been subjected who are identified for services or intervention under the placement, care, or supervision of state, Indian tribe, or tribal organization child welfare agencies;
 
the practices and protocols utilized by states to identify and serve children who are, or are at-risk of becoming, victims of trafficking; and
 
any barriers in federal laws or regulations that may prevent identification and assessment of children who are such victims.
 

action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to condition eligibility to receive a state grant for child abuse or neglect prevention and treatment programs on inclusion in the state plan of a certification by the governor that the state has in effect and is enforcing a state law, or is operating a statewide program, that includes provisions and procedures to:
 
 
identify and assess reports involving children who are sex trafficking victims (and which may also involve children who are victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons),
 
train representatives of the state child protective services about identifying and assessing such children, and
 
identify services and procedures for appropriate referral to address the needs of such children.
 
 
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on:
 
 
the specific type and prevalence of severe forms of trafficking in persons to which children have been subjected who are identified for services or intervention under the placement, care, or supervision of state, Indian tribe, or tribal organization child welfare agencies;
 
the practices and protocols utilized by states to identify and serve children who are, or are at-risk of becoming, victims of trafficking; and
 
any barriers in federal laws or regulations that may prevent identification and assessment of children who are such victims. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-28
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-01-27
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 - 0 (Roll no. 47). (text: CR 1/26/2015 H550)
action_date: 2015-01-27
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-01-27
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 - 0 (Roll no. 47).(text: CR 1/26/2015 H550)
action_date: 2015-01-27
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H616-617)
action_date: 2015-01-26
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2015-01-26
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 469.
action_date: 2015-01-26
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H549-553)
action_date: 2015-01-26
text: Mr. Walberg moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House