Summary:
Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act

 Directs the President to impose U.S. entry and property sanctions against any foreign person (or entity) who:

 is responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against individuals in any foreign country, especially those persons seeking to expose illegal activity carried out by government officials, or to obtain, exercise, or promote human rights and freedoms; acted as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign person in such activities; is a government official (or senior associate of such official) responsible for, or complicit in, ordering or otherwise directing acts of significant corruption or the facilitation or transfer of the proceeds of corruption to foreign jurisdictions; or has materially assisted or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, such activities. Prescribes related penalties.

Authorizes the President, with regard to such sanctions, to:

 waive their application, with prior congressional notification, if in U.S. national security interests; and terminate them under specified conditions. States that sanctions shall not apply if necessary to comply with the Agreement between the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States regarding the U.N. Headquarters, or other applicable international obligations of the United States.

Directs the President to report to Congress annually regarding each foreign person sanctioned, the type of sanctions imposed, and the reason for their imposition.

 Directs the Comptroller General to assess for Congress: (1) the process to determine whether a foreign person has engaged in a sanctionable activity, whether sanctions should be imposed, and whether the identity of a sanctioned foreign person should be classified; and (2) implementation of this Act.

global human rights accountability_act directs president impose entry property sanctions foreign person entity responsible extrajudicial killings torture gross violations internationally recognized human rights committed individuals foreign country especially persons seeking expose illegal activity carried government officials obtain exercise promote human rights freedoms acted agent behalf foreign person activities government official senior associate official responsible complicit ordering directing acts significant corruption facilitation transfer proceeds corruption foreign jurisdictions materially assisted provided financial material technological support goods services support activities prescribes related penalties authorizes president regard sanctions waive application prior congressional notification national security interests terminate specified conditions states sanctions shall apply necessary comply agreement united_nations united_states headquarters applicable international obligations united_states directs president report congress annually foreign person sanctioned type sanctions imposed reason imposition directs comptroller_general assess congress process determine foreign person engaged sanctionable activity sanctions imposed identity sanctioned foreign person classified implementation act


Summary:
Zero Tolerance for FGM Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to report on the development and implementation of a strategy that:

 ensures individuals who encounter minors at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) are fully prepared to take action to prevent the practice; ensures individuals subjected to FGM can seek necessary services; provides for updating Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates of the prevalence of FGM or female circumcision; and provides for a public awareness campaign, so that the public understands how to help individuals at risk of FGM and address the needs of individuals subjected to FGM.

zero tolerance act bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services report development implementation strategy ensures individuals encounter minors risk female fully prepared action prevent practice ensures individuals subjected seek necessary services provides updating centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention estimates prevalence female provides public awareness campaign public help individuals risk address needs individuals subjected


Summary:
Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2015

 Directs the Secretary of State to submit an annual, publicly-available report to Congress containing: (1) an assessment of the level of access Chinese authorities granted U.S. diplomats, journalists, and tourists to Tibetan areas in China; (2) a list of the persons in senior leadership positions in Tibet Autonomous Region and other specified provinces, prefectures, and autonomous entities; and (3) a list of the persons in senior leadership positions at the national and regional levels as defined by this Act.

Makes certain listed persons ineligible for U.S entry under specified circumstances.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) reciprocity forms the basis of diplomatic law and the practice of mutual exchanges between countries; (2) consular access should be given on a reciprocal basis; and (3) the Secretary, when granting Chinese diplomats access to parts of the United States, should take into account the extent to which China grants U.S. diplomats access to parts of China, including the level of access to Tibetan areas.

reciprocal access tibet act directs secretary state submit annual publicly available report congress containing assessment level access chinese authorities granted diplomats journalists tibetan areas china list persons senior leadership positions tibet autonomous region specified autonomous entities list persons senior leadership positions national regional levels defined act makes certain listed persons ineligible entry specified circumstances expresses sense congress reciprocity forms basis diplomatic law practice mutual exchanges countries consular access given reciprocal basis secretary granting chinese diplomats access parts united_states account extent china grants diplomats access parts china including level access tibetan areas


Summary:
Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a foreign country's practice of routinely denying visa applications for religious workers can be indicative of a poor state of religious freedom in that country, and (2) the U.S. government should seek to reverse any such policy by reviewing the bilateral relationship between such country and the United States.

TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE ACTIVITIES

(Sec. 101) The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) is amended to provide that in order to promote religious freedom as a U.S. foreign policy interest, the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom: (1) shall coordinate international religious freedom policies across all U.S. programs and activities, and (2) is urged to participate in any interagency processes in which the promotion of international religious freedom policy can advance U.S. national security interests.

 It is the sense of Congress that maintaining an adequate staffing level at the Office of International Religious Freedom is necessary for the office to carry out its work.

(Sec. 102) The deadline for submitting the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom is changed from September 1 to May 1 (or the first day thereafter on which the appropriate House of Congress is in session).

 Such report shall include information about:

 severe violations of religious freedom in a country where a government does not function or does not control its territory; identification of prisoners in a country; action taken by a government to censor religious content, communications, or worship activities online; persecution of human rights advocates seeking to defend the rights of members of religious groups or highlight religious freedom violations, including prohibitions on ritual animal slaughter or male infant circumcision; and country-specific analysis of the impact of U.S. actions on religious freedom. The executive summary of each such report shall include information about a country in which a non-state actor is designated as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom.

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that given that the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices no longer contain updated information on religious freedom conditions globally, it is important that the Department of State coordinates with the Commission on International Religious Freedom to fulfill IRFA's original intent.

(Sec. 103) The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended to require the Director of the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center to conduct training on religious freedom for all Foreign Service officers and all outgoing deputy chiefs of mission and ambassadors. The State Department shall submit a plan within 180 days for undertaking such training.

Such curriculum and training materials shall be shared with the Armed Forces and other federal agencies with overseas personnel.

(Sec. 104) The commission shall make publicly available lists of persons who are imprisoned, detained, disappeared, placed under house arrest, tortured, or subject to forced renunciations of religious faith by the government of a foreign country or by a non-state actor that the commission recommends for designation as a country or entity of particular concern for religious freedom.

TITLE II--NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

(Sec. 201) The Special Adviser to the President on International Religious Freedom is urged to assist the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom to coordinate executive branch international religious freedom policies and strategies throughout the executive branch and within any interagency policy committee of which the Ambassador at Large is a member.

TITLE III--PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS

(Sec. 301) The President: (1) concurrent with the annual review of the status of religious freedom in foreign countries required under the IFRA, shall identify any non-state actors operating in a reviewed country or surrounding region that have engaged in particularly severe violations of religious freedom; (2) shall designate each such non-state actor as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom; (3) shall submit a report detailing the reasons for such designation; and (4) is urged to take specific actions against such non-state actors.

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the State Department should work with Congress to create new political, financial, and diplomatic tools to address severe violations of religious freedom by non-state actors.

 The President shall, with respect to each non-state actor designated as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom, determine the specific officials or members who are responsible for such violations.

(Sec. 302) The deadline for such annual review is changed from September 1 to not later than 90 days after a review is submitted.

(Sec. 303) The President's report on action taken in response to violations of religious freedom or on designation of a country as a country of particular concern for religious freedom shall include: (1) an evaluation of the impact on the advancement of U.S. interests in democracy, human rights, and security; and (2) a description of policy tools being applied in the country, including programs that target democratic stability, economic growth, and counter-terrorism.

(Sec. 304) The waiver of specified presidential actions subsequent to the designation of a country as a country of particular concern for religious freedom is limited to 180 days. The bill prescribes additional presidential waiver authority after such 180-period.

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) ongoing waivers do not fulfill the purposes of the IRFA; and (2) the President, the State Department, and other executive branch officials should find ways to address existing violations through presidential actions.

(Sec. 305) The bill directs the President to publish in the Federal Register: (1) any designation of a non-state actor as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom, and (2) the identities of individuals responsible for severe violations of religious freedom by non-state actors.

TITLE IV--PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

(Sec. 401) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should request sufficient appropriations to promote international religious freedom, and (2) preference for such assistance should be given to projects targeting religious freedom violations in watch list countries countries and in countries designated as countries of particular concern for religious freedom.

TITLE V--DESIGNATED PERSONS LIST FOR PARTICULARLY SEVERE VIOLATIONS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

(Sec. 501) The State Department shall establish the Designated Persons List for Particularly Severe Violations of Religious Freedom of foreign individuals who are sanctioned (through visa denials, financial sanctions, or other measures) for ordering or otherwise directing particularly severe violations of freedom religion. The State Department shall submit the initial list within 180 days and provide updates every 180 days.

TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

(Sec. 601) The bill express the sense of Congress that U.S. institutions of higher education operating campuses outside the United States or establishing educational entities with foreign governments, particularly with or in countries that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom, should adopt a voluntary code of operating conduct that should:

 uphold the right of freedom of religion of their employees and students; ensure that the religious views and peaceful practice of religion in no way affect the status of a worker's or faculty member's employment or a student's enrollment; and make every effort in all negotiations, contracts, or memoranda of understanding engaged in with a foreign government to protect academic freedom and the rights enshrined in the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the President's annual national security strategy report should (1) promote international religious freedom as a foreign policy and national security priority; (2) be a guide for the strategies and activities of relevant federal agencies, and (3) inform the Department of Defense quadrennial defense review and the Department of State Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review.

frank wolf international religious freedom act sec bill expresses sense congress foreign country practice routinely denying visa applications religious workers poor state religious freedom country government seek reverse policy reviewing bilateral relationship country united_states title department_of_state activities sec international religious freedom act amended provide order promote religious freedom foreign policy interest ambassador large international religious freedom shall coordinate international religious freedom policies programs activities participate interagency processes promotion international religious freedom policy advance national security interests sense congress maintaining adequate staffing level office international religious freedom necessary office carry work sec deadline submitting annual report international religious freedom changed september day appropriate house congress session report shall include information severe violations religious freedom country government function control territory identification prisoners country action taken government religious content communications worship activities online persecution human rights advocates seeking defend rights members religious groups religious freedom violations including prohibitions animal slaughter male infant country specific analysis impact actions religious freedom executive summary report shall include information country non state actor designated entity particular concern religious freedom bill expresses sense congress given annual country reports human rights practices longer contain updated information religious freedom conditions globally important department_of_state coordinates commission international religious freedom fulfill original intent sec foreign_service act amended require director george national foreign affairs training center conduct training religious freedom foreign_service officers outgoing deputy chiefs mission state_department shall submit plan days undertaking training curriculum training materials shall shared armed_forces federal agencies overseas personnel sec commission shall publicly available lists persons imprisoned detained placed house arrest subject forced religious faith government foreign country non state actor commission recommends designation country entity particular concern religious freedom title national_security_council sec special adviser president international religious freedom assist ambassador large international religious freedom coordinate executive branch international religious freedom policies strategies executive branch interagency policy committee ambassador large member title iii presidential actions sec president concurrent annual review status religious freedom foreign countries required shall identify non state actors operating reviewed country surrounding region engaged particularly severe violations religious freedom shall designate non state actor entity particular concern religious freedom shall submit report detailing reasons designation specific actions non state actors bill expresses sense congress state_department work congress create new political financial diplomatic tools address severe violations religious freedom non state actors president shall respect non state actor designated entity particular concern religious freedom determine specific officials members responsible violations sec deadline annual review changed september later days review submitted sec president report action taken response violations religious freedom designation country country particular concern religious freedom shall include evaluation impact advancement interests democracy human rights security description policy tools applied country including programs target democratic stability economic growth counter terrorism sec waiver specified presidential actions subsequent designation country country particular concern religious freedom limited days bill prescribes additional presidential waiver authority period bill expresses sense congress ongoing waivers fulfill purposes president state_department executive branch officials find ways address existing violations presidential actions sec bill directs president publish federal_register designation non state actor entity particular concern religious freedom identities individuals responsible severe violations religious freedom non state actors title promotion religious freedom sec bill expresses sense congress president request sufficient appropriations promote international religious freedom preference assistance given projects targeting religious freedom violations watch list countries countries countries designated countries particular concern religious freedom title designated persons list particularly severe violations religious freedom sec state_department shall establish designated persons list particularly severe violations religious freedom foreign individuals sanctioned visa denials financial sanctions measures ordering directing particularly severe violations freedom religion state_department shall submit initial list days provide updates days title miscellaneous provisions sec bill express sense congress institutions higher education operating campuses outside united_states establishing educational entities foreign governments particularly countries engage severe violations religious freedom adopt voluntary code operating conduct uphold right freedom religion employees students ensure religious views peaceful practice religion way affect status worker faculty member employment student enrollment effort negotiations contracts memoranda understanding engaged foreign government protect academic freedom rights declaration human rights bill expresses sense congress president annual national security strategy report promote international religious freedom foreign policy national security priority guide strategies activities relevant federal agencies inform department_of_defense quadrennial defense review department_of_state quadrennial diplomacy development review


Summary:
Combat Human Trafficking Act of 2015

 Amends the federal criminal code, with respect to sex trafficking of children, to: (1) subject to criminal prosecution buyers, as well as sellers, of commercial sex involving sex trafficking victims; (2) provide that in prosecutions of sex trafficking crimes, the government is not required to prove that a sex trafficking defendant knew or recklessly disregarded the fact that a victim was under age 18; (3) equalize the period of supervised release for sex trafficking offenders convicted of conspiracy; (4) expand wiretap authority for investigating crimes related to sex trafficking, including slavery, involuntary servitude, and forced labor; (5) grant crime victims the right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea agreement or deferred prosecution agreement; and (6) require an appellate court to apply ordinary standards of review in reviewing appeals filed by crime victims.

Requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics in the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prepare and report annually on: (1) the rates of arrests by state law enforcement officers for sex trafficking crimes involving buyers of commercial sex involving sex trafficking victims, and (2) prosecutions and convictions for such crimes in state courts.

Directs the Attorney General to ensure that: (1) DOJ anti-human trafficking training programs, including programs for law enforcement officers, include technical training on effective methods for investigating and prosecuting individuals who obtain, patronize, or solicit a commercial sex act involving a person subject to severe forms of human trafficking and on facilitating the provision of physical and mental health services by health care providers to persons subject to severe forms of human trafficking; (2) federal law enforcement officers are engaged in activities, programs, or operations involving the detection, investigation, and prosecution of such offenses; and (3) DOJ anti-human trafficking programs for U.S. attorneys or other federal prosecutors include training on seeking restitution for peonage, slavery, and human trafficking offenses to ensure that each such attorney, upon obtaining a conviction for such an offense, requests a specific amount of restitution for each victim without regard to whether the victim requests it. Requires the Federal Judicial Center to provide training to judges relating to the application of mandatory restitution provisions regarding ordering restitution for victims of such offenses.

combat human trafficking act amends federal criminal code respect sex trafficking children subject criminal prosecution buyers sellers commercial sex involving sex trafficking victims provide prosecutions sex trafficking crimes government required prove sex trafficking defendant knew recklessly disregarded fact victim age equalize period supervised release sex trafficking offenders convicted conspiracy expand authority investigating crimes related sex trafficking including slavery involuntary servitude forced labor grant crime victims right informed timely manner plea agreement deferred prosecution agreement require appellate court apply ordinary standards review reviewing appeals filed crime victims requires bureau_of_justice_statistics department_of_justice doj prepare report annually rates arrests state law enforcement officers sex trafficking crimes involving buyers commercial sex involving sex trafficking victims prosecutions convictions crimes state courts directs attorney general ensure doj anti human trafficking training programs including programs law enforcement officers include technical training effective methods investigating prosecuting individuals obtain solicit commercial sex act involving person subject severe forms human trafficking facilitating provision physical mental health services health_care providers persons subject severe forms human trafficking federal law enforcement officers engaged activities programs operations involving detection investigation prosecution offenses doj anti human trafficking programs attorneys federal prosecutors include training seeking restitution slavery human trafficking offenses ensure attorney obtaining conviction offense requests specific restitution victim regard victim requests requires federal judicial center provide training judges relating application mandatory restitution provisions ordering restitution victims offenses


Summary:
Human Trafficking Fraud Enforcement Act of 2015

 Directs the Department of the Treasury to establish within the Internal Revenue Service an office to investigate and prosecute violations of internal revenue laws by persons that appear to be engaged in violations of specified federal laws prohibiting forced labor, trafficking of individuals, and transportation of minors or aliens for immoral purposes and of state or territorial laws prohibiting the promotion of prostitution or of any commercial sex act. Directs such office to cooperate with the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Department of Justice and the Innocence Lost National Initiative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Allows victims of human trafficking crimes to claim awards allowed for whistleblowing.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase civil and criminal penalties for tax evasion attributable to income derived from human trafficking and commercial sex acts. Makes it a felony to fail to file a tax return including income derived from human trafficking or commercial sex acts. Appropriates to the Crime Victims Fund additional funds equal to the increase in receipts from increased civil and criminal penalties provided by this Act.

human trafficking fraud enforcement act directs department_of_the_treasury establish internal_revenue_service office investigate prosecute violations internal_revenue laws persons appear engaged violations specified federal laws prohibiting forced labor trafficking individuals transportation minors aliens purposes state territorial laws prohibiting promotion prostitution commercial sex act directs office cooperate child exploitation section department_of_justice innocence lost national initiative federal_bureau_of_investigation allows victims human trafficking crimes claim awards allowed amends_the_internal_revenue_code increase civil criminal penalties tax evasion attributable income derived human trafficking commercial sex acts makes felony fail file tax return including income derived human trafficking commercial sex acts appropriates crime_victims_fund additional funds equal increase receipts increased civil criminal penalties provided act


Summary:
Shahbaz Bhatti International Religious Freedom Act of 2015

 Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to include violations of religious freedom by non-state actors in the annual Department of State report to Congress on international religious freedom.

Requires the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to hold hearings on specified Department and U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom reports concerning the status of religious freedom.

Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require Foreign Service officers to receive training about the religious demography, status of religious freedom, and U.S. strategies for advancing religious freedom in their country of posting.

Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) transmit to specified congressional committees certain lists of persons imprisoned, detained, or placed under house arrest; and (2) report to Congress on the best uses of foreign assistance to promote the goals of religious freedom and religious engagement.

Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress after the date on which the President designates countries as a country of particular concern for religious freedom on the lack of the President's designation of Pakistan and and any other countries recommended for such designation by the Commission.

Directs the President to take specified actions in response to violations of religious freedom by non-state actors.

Authorizes certain funds for democracy programs to be used to implement innovative uses of the Internet and other electronic methods to support freedom of religion or belief abroad.

international religious freedom act amends international religious freedom act include violations religious freedom non state actors annual department_of_state report congress international religious freedom requires house foreign affairs committee senate foreign relations committee hold hearings specified department commission international religious freedom reports concerning status religious freedom amends foreign_service act require foreign_service officers receive training religious status religious freedom strategies advancing religious freedom country posting directs secretary state transmit specified congressional committees certain lists persons imprisoned detained placed house arrest report congress best uses foreign assistance promote goals religious freedom religious engagement directs comptroller_general report congress date president designates countries country particular concern religious freedom lack president designation pakistan countries recommended designation commission directs president specified actions response violations religious freedom non state actors authorizes certain funds democracy programs implement innovative uses internet electronic methods support freedom religion belief abroad


Summary:
International Violence Against Women Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of State to establish an Office of Global Women's Issues which shall be headed by an Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues.

Establishes in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) a Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment who shall direct USAID activities, policies, programs, and funding relating to gender equality and women's empowerment.

Directs the Ambassador-at-Large to: (1) develop or update annually for five years (after the 2012 United States Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally which shall be deemed to be the first required strategy) a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, and (2) coordinate U.S. government efforts regarding gender integration and advancing the status of women and girls in U.S. foreign policy.

Directs the Ambassador-at-Large and Senior Coordinator to: (1) include in each strategy an analysis of best practices for preventing and addressing violence against women and girls internationally; and (2) develop a plan for monitoring programs, projects, and activities carried out under this Act.

international violence_against_women_act directs secretary state establish office global women issues shall headed ambassador large global women issues establishes agency international_development usaid senior coordinator gender equality women empowerment shall direct usaid activities policies programs funding relating gender equality women empowerment directs ambassador large develop update annually years united_states strategy prevent respond gender based violence globally shall deemed required strategy global strategy prevent respond violence women girls coordinate government efforts gender integration advancing status women girls foreign policy directs ambassador large senior coordinator include strategy analysis best practices preventing addressing violence women girls internationally develop plan monitoring programs projects activities carried act


Summary:
Cuba Human Rights Act of 2015

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that:

 the United States-Cuba relationship should not be changed, nor should any federal law or regulation be amended, until the government of Cuba ceases violating the human rights of the people of Cuba; the United States should overcome the jamming of radio and television signals of the Radio y Television Marti by the government of Cuba, and that the Broadcasting Board of Governors should not cut staffing, funding, or broadcast hours for Radio y Television Marti; if certain human rights conditions are not met the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (U.N.) should oppose and encourage other U.N. members to oppose Cuba's continued membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council; and the annual trafficking victims report to Congress should include an in-depth analysis of the facilitation of or involvement in severe forms of human trafficking by any official of the government of Cuba or of companies wholly or partially owned by the government of Cuba. Nothing in this Act may be construed as:

 prohibiting the donation of food to nongovernmental organizations or individuals in Cuba; restricting the export of medicine or medical supplies to Cuba, or abrogating any requirement that such exports be verified in conformity with the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 or any other applicable federal law; or prohibiting or restricting any other form of assistance specified in the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, including telecommunications, mail, and support for democracy.

cuba human rights act bill expresses sense congress united_states cuba relationship changed federal law regulation amended government cuba ceases violating human rights people cuba united_states overcome jamming radio television signals radio television government cuba broadcasting_board_of_governors cut staffing funding broadcast hours radio television certain human rights conditions met permanent representative united_nations oppose encourage members oppose cuba continued membership united_nations_human_rights_council annual trafficking victims report congress include depth analysis facilitation involvement severe forms human trafficking official government cuba companies wholly partially owned government cuba act construed prohibiting donation food nongovernmental organizations individuals cuba restricting export medicine medical supplies cuba requirement exports verified conformity cuban democracy act applicable federal law prohibiting restricting form assistance specified cuban democracy act including telecommunications mail support democracy


Summary:
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2015

Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) as an independent federal government advisory body through FY2021.

Requires the USCIRF as a whole to have expertise on the variety of faiths practiced around the world.

Requires appointments to the USCIRF to be made within 90 days of a vacancy. Removes authority under which a USCIRF member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office.

Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require the Secretary of State to receive assistance from the USCIRF when establishing training for Foreign Service officers in the field of internationally recognized human rights, including instruction regarding the relationship between religious freedom and security, as well as the role of religious freedom in U.S. foreign policy.

Encourages the Department of State to allow classified information to be accessed by USCIRF Commissioners and staff with the appropriate security clearance.

Requires discrimination on the basis of religion to be treated as a category of employment discrimination for purposes of the employment protections for USCIRF employees.

Revises restrictions on the USCIRF's acceptance of gifts and donations to permit sponsoring private parties to provide compensation and benefits to interns, fellows, and volunteers. Requires the number, duration, and funding source of any such internship, fellowship, or volunteer programs to be described in the USCIRF's annual financial report.

united_states_commission international religious freedom reauthorization act amends international religious freedom act reauthorize commission international religious freedom independent federal_government advisory body fy2021 requires expertise variety world requires appointments days vacancy removes authority member serve expiration member term successor taken office amends foreign_service act require secretary state receive assistance establishing training foreign_service officers field internationally recognized human rights including instruction relationship religious freedom security role religious freedom foreign policy encourages department_of_state allow classified information accessed commissioners staff appropriate security clearance requires discrimination basis religion treated category employment discrimination purposes employment protections employees revises restrictions acceptance gifts donations permit sponsoring private parties provide compensation benefits interns fellows volunteers requires number duration funding source internship fellowship volunteer programs described annual financial report


Summary:
Girls Count Act of 2015

Authorizes the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to: (1) support programs that will contribute to improved civil registration and vital statistics systems with a focus on birth registration; and (2) support programs that build the capacity of developing countries' national and local legal and policy frameworks to prevent discrimination against girls in gaining passport access and help increase property rights, social security, land tenure, economic opportunities, and inheritance rights for women.

 Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator to cooperate with multilateral organizations and private sector and civil society organizations to promote such programs.

girls count act authorizes secretary state administrator agency international_development support programs contribute improved civil registration vital statistics systems focus birth registration support programs build capacity developing countries national local legal policy frameworks prevent discrimination girls gaining passport access help increase property rights social_security land tenure economic opportunities inheritance rights women authorizes secretary administrator cooperate multilateral organizations private sector civil society organizations promote programs


Summary:
World Press Freedom Protection Act of 2015

This bill authorizes the President to impose U.S. admissibility sanctions against a foreign person who:

 is responsible for severe restrictions on the freedom of expression or freedom of the press; or has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, such an activity. The President may waive such sanctions if in U.S. national security interests, and terminate them under specified conditions.

Sanctions shall not apply if necessary to comply with the Agreement between the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States regarding the U.N. Headquarters or other applicable international obligations of the United States.

The President shall report to Congress annually regarding each foreign person sanctioned, and the dates and reason for the imposition of any sanctions.

It should be U.S. policy to respond strongly to the growing number of restrictions, arrests, killings, and visa delays or denials faced by foreign journalists and their domestic employees.

An executive of a foreign state-owned media organization who is applying for a nonimmigrant I-visa (foreign media representative) shall be refused the visa if any U.S. journalist or news organization personnel were expelled, had visas denied, or faced violence in the course of working in such foreign state during the previous fiscal year.

Annual country reports of human rights practices under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall now include information about the country's practices with respect to foreign journalists and their domestic personnel.

It is the sense of Congress that:

 restrictions on journalists and media websites and Internet censorship are significant foreign trade barriers; the United States Trade Representative should include a list of blocked U.S. websites in its annual report on foreign trade barriers; and the United States should pursue disputes to end foreign blockage of U.S. websites at the World Trade Organization.

world press freedom protection act bill authorizes president impose admissibility sanctions foreign person responsible severe restrictions freedom expression freedom press materially assisted sponsored provided financial material technological support goods services support activity president waive sanctions national security interests terminate specified conditions sanctions shall apply necessary comply agreement united_nations united_states headquarters applicable international obligations united_states president shall report congress annually foreign person sanctioned dates reason imposition sanctions policy respond strongly growing number restrictions arrests killings visa delays denials faced foreign journalists domestic employees executive foreign state owned media organization applying nonimmigrant visa foreign media representative shall refused visa news organization personnel visas denied faced violence course working foreign state previous fiscal year annual country reports human rights practices foreign assistance_act shall include information country practices respect foreign journalists domestic personnel sense congress restrictions journalists media websites internet censorship significant foreign trade barriers united_states_trade_representative include list blocked websites annual report foreign trade barriers united_states pursue disputes end foreign blockage websites world_trade_organization


Summary:
Global Respect Act

Directs the President to submit to Congress a list of each foreign person that the President determines is responsible, or acted as an agent, for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against an individual in a foreign country based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Makes a listed foreign person ineligible to enter or be admitted to the United States. Requires revocation of any visa issued for such person.

Authorizes the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive such prohibition if in U.S. national security interests or if necessary for compliance with the Agreement between the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States regarding the U.N. Headquarters. Requires congressional notification prior to any such waiver.

Directs the Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor to designate a senior officer or officers to track violence, criminalization, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms in foreign countries based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include information on sexual orientation or gender identity violence or restrictions in the annual country reports on human rights practices.

global respect act directs president submit congress list foreign person president determines responsible acted agent extrajudicial killings torture gross violations internationally recognized human rights committed individual foreign country based actual perceived sexual orientation gender identity makes listed foreign person ineligible enter admitted united_states requires revocation visa issued person authorizes secretary state secretary homeland_security waive prohibition national security interests necessary compliance agreement united_nations united_states headquarters requires congressional notification prior waiver directs assistant secretary democracy human rights labor designate senior officer officers track violence restrictions fundamental freedoms foreign countries based actual perceived sexual orientation gender identity amends foreign assistance_act include information sexual orientation gender identity violence restrictions annual country reports human rights practices


Summary:
China Human Rights Protection Act of 2015

 Directs the President to impose U.S. entry and property sanctions against a national of China who:

 is responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against individuals in China, particularly those who seek to exercise, defend, or promote internationally recognized human rights and freedoms; acted as an agent of or on behalf of a national of China in such activities; or has materially assisted or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, such activities. Authorizes the President, with regard to such sanctions, to:

 waive their application, with prior congressional notification, if in U.S. national security interests; and terminate them under specified conditions. States that sanctions shall not apply if necessary to comply with the Agreement between the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States regarding the U.N. Headquarters, or other applicable international obligations of the United States.

 Declares that the Secretary of State shall seek to provide for the establishment of, and provide funding for, a nongovernmental China Human Rights Documentation Center to:

 compile, publish, and archive evidence of nationals of China who commit gross violations of internationally recognized human rights against individuals in China, and against others seeking to expand freedoms in China; and establish an online and searchable database, in English and in Chinese of evidence of such violations for research and educational purposes. Directs the President to report to Congress annually regarding each foreign person sanctioned, the type of sanctions imposed, and the reason for their imposition.

 Directs the Government Accountability Office to assess for Congress:

 the process to determine whether a foreign person has engaged in a sanctionable activity, whether sanctions should be imposed, and whether the identity of a sanctioned foreign person should be classified; and implementation of this Act.

china human rights protection act directs president impose entry property sanctions national china responsible gross violations internationally recognized human rights committed individuals china particularly seek exercise defend promote internationally recognized human rights freedoms acted agent behalf national china activities materially assisted provided financial material technological support goods services support activities authorizes president regard sanctions waive application prior congressional notification national security interests terminate specified conditions states sanctions shall apply necessary comply agreement united_nations united_states headquarters applicable international obligations united_states declares secretary state shall seek provide establishment provide funding nongovernmental china human rights documentation center compile publish archive evidence nationals china commit gross violations internationally recognized human rights individuals china seeking expand freedoms china establish online searchable database english chinese evidence violations research educational purposes directs president report congress annually foreign person sanctioned type sanctions imposed reason imposition directs government_accountability_office assess congress process determine foreign person engaged sanctionable activity sanctions imposed identity sanctioned foreign person classified implementation act


Summary:
Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2015

Amends the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize FY2016-FY2017 appropriations to:

 the Department of Health and Human Services for grants to domestic treatment centers for the costs of services in the rehabilitation of victims of torture (including treatment of both physical and psychological effects), social and legal services, and research and training of health care providers outside of treatment centers or programs; and the President for grants to foreign treatment centers and programs for activities designed to treat victims for the physical and psychological effects of torture. Directs the U.S. Agency for International Development to support indigenous foreign treatment centers and programs for torture victims in order to increase their capacities to train other local health care providers.

torture victims relief reauthorization act amends torture victims relief_act authorize fy2016 fy2017 appropriations department_of_health_and_human_services grants domestic treatment centers costs services rehabilitation victims torture including treatment physical psychological effects social legal services research training health_care providers outside treatment centers programs president grants foreign treatment centers programs activities designed treat victims physical psychological effects torture directs agency international_development support indigenous foreign treatment centers programs torture victims order increase capacities train local health_care providers


Summary:
Further Independence of Religion for Security and Tolerance Freedom Act of 2015 or the FIRST Freedom Act

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that:

 the protection and promotion of international human rights, including religious freedom, should be an important U.S. priority; and the United States should pursue new strategies to deter and punish the perpetrators of severe violations of religious freedom, including non-state actors, and to protect the victims of such violations. The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended to authorize the Department of State to designate refugee groups:

 whose resettlement in the United States is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest; and who share common characteristics that identify them as targets of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, or having been so identified share a common need for resettlement. The one-year time limit for filing an asylum claim is eliminated. A two-year window is provided for certain aliens to reopen a claim denied because of failure to file within one year.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is authorized to study: (1) whether asylum officers are engaging in improper conduct, and (2) the impact of interview delays on asylum claims.

The International Religious Freedom Act is amended to authorize appropriations for the Commission through FY2017.

Any alien who was responsible for, or directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom is inadmissible or deportable. (Current law is limited to foreign government officials who commit such acts.)

The federal criminal code is amended to require that any person who outside the United States commits, or attempts or conspires to commit, religious persecution against a U.S. person: (1) be fined, imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both; and (2) if the death of any person results from the violation, be fined and imprisoned for any term of years or for life.

No person may be prosecuted, tried, or punished for such a violation unless the indictment or the information is filed within 10 years after commission of the offense.

independence religion security tolerance freedom act freedom act bill expresses sense congress protection promotion international human rights including religious freedom important priority united_states pursue new strategies deter punish perpetrators severe violations religious freedom including non state actors protect victims violations immigration_and_nationality_act amended authorize department_of_state designate refugee groups resettlement united_states justified humanitarian concerns national interest share common characteristics identify targets persecution account race religion nationality membership particular social group political opinion having identified share common need resettlement year time limit filing asylum claim eliminated year window provided certain aliens reopen claim denied failure file year commission international religious freedom authorized study asylum officers engaging improper conduct impact interview delays asylum claims international religious freedom act amended authorize appropriations commission fy2017 alien responsible directly carried time particularly severe violations religious freedom inadmissible deportable current law limited foreign government officials commit acts federal criminal code amended require person outside united_states commits attempts conspires commit religious persecution person fined imprisoned years death person results violation fined imprisoned term years life person prosecuted tried punished violation indictment information filed years commission offense


Summary:
DHS Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue guidance to DHS personnel on:

 information that should be collected and recorded in DHS information technology (IT) systems used to identify individuals suspected or convicted of human trafficking, how to ensure data reliability of information regarding such individuals in such systems, and information sharing regarding such individuals among DHS components. DHS shall ensure the integration of its IT systems used to record and track such information.

The DHS Inspector General shall report to specified congressional committees on the status of implementation of this bill.

dhs human trafficking prevention act sec bill directs department_of_homeland_security dhs issue guidance dhs personnel information collected recorded dhs information technology systems identify individuals suspected convicted human trafficking ensure data reliability information individuals systems information sharing individuals dhs components dhs shall ensure integration systems record track information dhs inspector_general shall report specified congressional committees status implementation bill


Summary:
Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act

This bill directs the Department of Labor to implement a program to:

 train and periodically retrain relevant Labor personnel to detect and assist law enforcement in preventing human trafficking during the course of their primary roles and responsibilities, and ensure that such personnel regularly receive current information on matters related to the detection of human trafficking.

enhancing detection human trafficking act bill directs department_of_labor implement program train periodically retrain relevant labor personnel detect assist law enforcement preventing human trafficking course primary roles responsibilities ensure personnel regularly receive current information matters related detection human trafficking


Summary:
Secure our Skies Act of 2016

This bill requires each air carrier providing passenger air transportation to provide flight attendants, pilots, and dispatchers who are employees or contractors of the carrier with training to combat human trafficking in the course of carrying out their duties. Such training shall cover: (1) common indicators of human trafficking, and (2) best practices for reporting suspected trafficking to law enforcement officers.

To assist in such training, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation shall provide information, including the Blue Campaign training module, for use by air carriers.

The Federal Aviation Administration shall report recommendations for improving the identification and reporting of human trafficking by air carrier personnel while protecting the civil liberties of passengers.

The bill grants immunity to an air carrier for reporting any suspicious transaction relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation relating to human trafficking.

secure skies act bill requires air carrier providing passenger air transportation provide flight attendants pilots dispatchers employees contractors carrier training combat human trafficking course carrying duties training shall cover common indicators human trafficking best practices reporting suspected trafficking law enforcement officers assist training department_of_homeland_security department_of_transportation shall provide information including blue campaign training module use air carriers federal_aviation_administration shall report recommendations improving identification reporting human trafficking air carrier personnel protecting civil liberties passengers bill grants immunity air carrier reporting suspicious transaction relevant possible violation law regulation relating human trafficking


Summary:
Distribution and Promotion of Rights and Knowledge Act of 2016 or the DPRK Act of 2016

This bill amends the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 to authorize the President, through the Department of State, to: (1) distribute or provide grants to distribute information receiving devices, electronically readable devices, and other informational sources into North Korea; and (2) establish a grant program, which may involve public-private partnerships, to develop and/or distribute new products or methods to allow North Koreans easier access to outside information.

The Broadcasting Board of Governors may broadcast American, Korean, Chinese, and other popular music, television, movies, and popular cultural references as part of its programming.

The Board shall broadcast to North Korea in the Korean language information on rights, laws, and freedoms afforded through the North Korean Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and any other applicable treaties or international agreements to which North Korea is bound.

distribution promotion rights knowledge act act bill amends north_korean_human_rights_act authorize president department_of_state distribute provide grants distribute information receiving devices electronically readable devices informational sources north_korea establish grant program involve public private partnerships develop distribute new products methods allow north access outside information broadcasting_board_of_governors broadcast american korean chinese music television cultural references programming board shall broadcast north_korea korean language information rights laws freedoms afforded north korean constitution universal declaration human rights united_nations commission inquiry human rights democratic people republic_of_korea applicable treaties international agreements north_korea bound


Summary:
This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require annual human rights reports to include information on the:

 institutionalization of children, including in orphanages and group homes, if such institutionalization can be avoided by reunifying such children with parents of origin or by adoptive placement; and related subjection of children to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, unnecessary detention, and denial of the right to life, liberty, and the security of persons.

bill amends foreign assistance_act require annual human rights reports include information institutionalization children including group homes institutionalization avoided children parents origin adoptive placement related children cruel inhuman degrading treatment unnecessary detention denial right life liberty security persons


Summary:
No Impunity for Iranian Aggression at Sea Act of 2016

This bill requires the President to submit a report that includes:

 a determination of whether, during the June 2016 incident when Iranian forces boarded two U.S. Navy combat vessels and detained the crews at gunpoint, any of the Iranian actions violated the Geneva Convention or the international right to conduct innocent passage; and a certification of whether or not federal funds were paid to Iran to effect the release of the detained crew members or other U.S. citizens. The bill prescribes specified Iranian actions that the President shall consider, including: (1) the stopping, boarding, search, and seizure of the U.S. Navy vessels and the removal and detention of the crews; and (2) the display, videotaping, or photographing of U.S. service members and the subsequent use of those photographs or videos.

The President shall: (1) upon a determination that such a violation occurred, submit and make public a list of Iranian government officials or persons acting on behalf of the Iranian government who are responsible for or complicit in any such violation; and (2) prohibit U.S. entry or admission and block property transactions of listed persons.

iranian aggression sea act bill requires president submit report includes determination june incident iranian forces navy combat vessels detained crews iranian actions violated geneva convention international right conduct innocent passage certification federal funds paid iran effect release detained crew members citizens bill prescribes specified iranian actions president shall consider including stopping boarding search seizure navy vessels removal detention crews display photographing service members subsequent use photographs videos president shall determination violation occurred submit public list iranian government officials persons acting behalf iranian government responsible complicit violation prohibit entry admission block property transactions listed persons


Summary:
SOAR to Health and Wellness Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a pilot program, to be known as Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training (or SOAR to Health and Wellness Training), to train health care providers and other related providers to:

 identify potential human trafficking victims, work with law enforcement to report and facilitate communication with such victims, refer victims to social or victims service agencies or organizations, provide such victims with coordinated care tailored to their circumstances, and consider integrating this training with existing training programs. The pilot program must include the functions of the training program with the same name that was operating before this bill's enactment and the following initiatives:

 engaging stakeholders to develop a flexible training module, supporting training in diverse health care sites, providing technical assistance to health education programs, developing a strategy to incentivize the use of training materials developed under this bill and the implementation of a nationwide health care protocol, and developing a methodology for collecting and reporting data on the number of human trafficking victims served in health care settings or other related provider settings. The pilot program is authorized through FY2022.

HHS must report on the number of facilities operating under the pilot program, the number of providers trained through the pilot program, and these numbers for the program operating before the pilot program.

soar health wellness act bill directs_the_department_of_health_and_human_services hhs establish pilot program known stop observe ask respond health wellness training soar health wellness training train health_care providers related providers identify potential human trafficking victims work law enforcement report facilitate communication victims refer victims social victims service agencies organizations provide victims coordinated care tailored circumstances consider integrating training existing training programs pilot program include functions training program operating bill enactment following initiatives engaging stakeholders develop flexible training module supporting training diverse health_care sites providing technical assistance health education programs developing strategy incentivize use training materials developed bill implementation nationwide health_care protocol developing methodology collecting reporting data number human trafficking victims served health_care settings related provider settings pilot program authorized fy2022 hhs report number facilities operating pilot program number providers trained pilot program numbers program operating pilot program


Summary:
War Crimes Accountability Act of 2016

 This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should actively encourage prosecution of war crimes suspects and Nazi war criminals.

 The President shall submit a report for each of FY2017-FY2021 that identifies each country that is failing to: (1) cooperate with relevant jurisdictions in extraditing or deporting war crimes suspects or Nazi war criminals to the appropriate jurisdiction; (2) enforce arrest warrants issued by an international tribunal against war crimes suspects; (3) accept Nazi war criminals deported from the United States; or (4) effectively prosecute war crimes suspects or Nazi war criminals within such country's jurisdiction, including Nazi war criminals who resided in the United States and were deported from or extradited by the United States or left the United States voluntarily.

 The President may not issue a letter of offer to sell defense articles under the Arms Export Control Act for $7 million or more to an identified country.

 The President may waive such prohibition in the U.S. national security interest.

war crimes accountability_act bill expresses sense congress united_states actively encourage prosecution war crimes suspects nazi war criminals president shall submit report fy2017-fy2021 identifies country failing cooperate relevant jurisdictions war crimes suspects nazi war criminals appropriate jurisdiction enforce arrest warrants issued international tribunal war crimes suspects accept nazi war criminals deported united_states effectively prosecute war crimes suspects nazi war criminals country jurisdiction including nazi war criminals resided united_states deported united_states left united_states voluntarily president issue letter offer sell defense articles arms_export_control_act million identified country president waive prohibition national security interest


Summary:
Lost Boys and Girls Rebuilding Infrastructure to Sustain Enduring Peace in South Sudan Act or the Lost Boys and Girls RISE Act

This bill directs the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish a three-year pilot program to provide fellowships to up to 500 eligible individuals to assist in developing agricultural, business development, educational, medical, technological, or transportation infrastructure in South Sudan. (The program may begin after the Department of State determines that it is safe for U.S. citizens, especially citizens of Sudanese or South Sudanese descent, to travel to South Sudan and lifts the general travel warning for South Sudan.)

It is the sense of Congress that USAID should: (1) consult with members of the Lost Boys and Lost Girls of Sudan community in the United States for purposes of identifying potential participants, and (2) consider individuals who are recommended to USAID by a member of Congress.

lost boys girls rebuilding infrastructure sustain enduring peace south_sudan act lost boys girls rise act bill directs agency international_development usaid establish year pilot program provide fellowships eligible individuals assist developing agricultural business development educational medical technological transportation infrastructure south_sudan program begin department_of_state determines safe citizens especially citizens sudanese south sudanese descent travel south_sudan lifts general travel warning south_sudan sense congress usaid consult members lost boys lost girls sudan community united_states purposes identifying potential participants consider individuals recommended usaid member congress


Summary:
Commission on the Removal of Mexican-Americans to Mexico

This bill establishes the Commission on the Removal of Mexican-Americans to Mexico, which shall: (1) review the facts and circumstances surrounding the 1929-1941 removal of certain U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents to Mexico and the impact of such actions on such individuals, their families, and the Mexican-American community; (2) review federal, state, and local government directives that required such removal and any other related information; and (3) report its findings, conclusions, and any recommendations for legislative actions.

commission removal mexican americans mexico bill establishes_the_commission removal mexican americans mexico shall review facts circumstances surrounding removal certain citizens permanent legal residents mexico impact actions individuals families mexican american community review federal state local government directives required removal related information report findings conclusions recommendations legislative actions


Summary:
Combat Human Trafficking Act of 2015

Amends the federal criminal code, with respect to sex trafficking of children, to: (1) subject to criminal prosecution buyers, as well as sellers, of commercial sex involving sex trafficking victims; (2) provide that in prosecutions of sex trafficking crimes, the government is not required to prove that a sex trafficking defendant knew or recklessly disregarded the fact that a victim was under age 18; (3) equalize the period of supervised release for sex trafficking offenders convicted of conspiracy; (4) expand wiretap authority for investigating crimes related to sex trafficking, including slavery, involuntary servitude, and forced labor; (5) grant crime victims the right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea agreement or deferred prosecution agreement; and (6) require an appellate court to apply ordinary standards of review in reviewing appeals filed by crime victims.

Requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics in the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prepare and report annually on: (1) the rates of arrests by state law enforcement officers for sex trafficking crimes involving buyers of commercial sex involving sex trafficking victims, and (2) prosecutions and convictions for such crimes in state courts.

Directs the Attorney General to ensure that: (1) DOJ anti-human trafficking training programs, including programs for law enforcement officers, include technical training on effective methods for investigating and prosecuting individuals who obtain, patronize, or solicit a commercial sex act involving a person subject to severe forms of human trafficking and on facilitating the provision of physical and mental health services by health care providers to persons subject to severe forms of human trafficking; (2) federal law enforcement officers are engaged in activities, programs, or operations involving the detection, investigation, and prosecution of such offenses; and (3) DOJ anti-human trafficking programs for U.S. attorneys or other federal prosecutors include training on seeking restitution for peonage, slavery, and human trafficking offenses to ensure that each such attorney, upon obtaining a conviction for such an offense, requests a specific amount of restitution for each victim without regard to whether the victim requests it. Requires the Federal Judicial Center to provide training to judges relating to the application of mandatory restitution provisions regarding ordering restitution for victims of such offenses.

combat human trafficking act amends federal criminal code respect sex trafficking children subject criminal prosecution buyers sellers commercial sex involving sex trafficking victims provide prosecutions sex trafficking crimes government required prove sex trafficking defendant knew recklessly disregarded fact victim age equalize period supervised release sex trafficking offenders convicted conspiracy expand authority investigating crimes related sex trafficking including slavery involuntary servitude forced labor grant crime victims right informed timely manner plea agreement deferred prosecution agreement require appellate court apply ordinary standards review reviewing appeals filed crime victims requires bureau_of_justice_statistics department_of_justice doj prepare report annually rates arrests state law enforcement officers sex trafficking crimes involving buyers commercial sex involving sex trafficking victims prosecutions convictions crimes state courts directs attorney general ensure doj anti human trafficking training programs including programs law enforcement officers include technical training effective methods investigating prosecuting individuals obtain solicit commercial sex act involving person subject severe forms human trafficking facilitating provision physical mental health services health_care providers persons subject severe forms human trafficking federal law enforcement officers engaged activities programs operations involving detection investigation prosecution offenses doj anti human trafficking programs attorneys federal prosecutors include training seeking restitution slavery human trafficking offenses ensure attorney obtaining conviction offense requests specific restitution victim regard victim requests requires federal judicial center provide training judges relating application mandatory restitution provisions ordering restitution victims offenses


Summary:
Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to give preferential consideration in awarding Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) grants to an application from an applicant in a state that has in effect a law that: (1) treats a minor who has engaged in, or has attempted to engage in, a commercial sex act as a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons; (2) discourages or prohibits the charging or prosecution of such individual for a prostitution or sex trafficking offense based on such conduct; or (3) encourages the diversion of such an individual to appropriate service providers, including child welfare services, victim treatment programs, child advocacy centers, rape crisis centers, or other social services.

(Sec. 3) Amends the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (VTVPA) to require the Attorney General's annual report on federal agencies that are implementing provisions relating to the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking to include information on the activities of such agencies in cooperation with state, tribal, and local law enforcement officials to identify, investigate, and prosecute the following offenses: (1) sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion or with a minor; (2) sexual exploitation of children; (3) the selling and buying of children; (4) transportation with intent that the victim engage in illegal sexual activity; (5) coercion or enticement to travel for illegal sexual activity; and (6) transportation of minors for illegal sexual activity. Requires such information to include: (1) the number of individuals required by a court order to pay restitution in connection with a violation of each offense and the amount of such restitution; and (2) the age, gender, race, country of origin, country of citizenship, and description of the role of individuals convicted under each offense.

(Sec. 4) Amends the VTVPA to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), annually beginning in FY2017, to make grants for a national communication system to assist victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons in communicating with service providers. Directs HHS to give priority to grant applicants that have experience in providing telephone services to victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons.

(Sec. 5) Amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to include victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons among those eligible for the Job Corps without being required to demonstrate low-income eligibility.

(Sec. 6) Amends the federal judicial code to authorize the United States Marshals Service to assist state, local, and other federal law enforcement agencies, upon request, in locating and recovering missing children.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Attorney General to implement and maintain a National Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking that includes: (1) integrated federal, state, local, and tribal efforts to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases; (2) case coordination within the Department of Justice; (3) annual budget priorities and federal efforts dedicated to preventing and combating human trafficking; (4) an ongoing assessment of future trends, challenges, and opportunities; and (5) encouragement of cooperation, coordination, and mutual support between the private sector and federal agencies to combat human trafficking.

stop exploitation trafficking act sec amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act authorize attorney general preferential consideration awarding community oriented police services cops grants application applicant state effect law treats minor engaged attempted engage commercial sex act victim severe form trafficking persons discourages prohibits charging prosecution individual prostitution sex trafficking offense based conduct encourages diversion individual appropriate service providers including child welfare services victim treatment programs child advocacy centers rape crisis centers social_services sec amends victims_of_trafficking_and_violence_protection_act require attorney general annual report federal agencies implementing provisions relating interagency_task_force monitor combat_trafficking include information activities agencies cooperation state tribal local law enforcement officials identify investigate prosecute following offenses sex trafficking force fraud coercion minor sexual exploitation children selling buying children transportation intent victim engage illegal sexual activity coercion travel illegal sexual activity transportation minors illegal sexual activity requires information include number individuals required court order pay restitution connection violation offense restitution age gender race country origin country citizenship description role individuals convicted offense sec amends require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs annually beginning fy2017 grants national communication system assist victims severe forms trafficking persons communicating service providers directs hhs priority grant applicants experience providing telephone services victims severe forms trafficking persons sec amends workforce innovation opportunity act include victims severe form trafficking persons eligible job_corps required demonstrate low income eligibility sec amends federal judicial code authorize united_states_marshals_service assist state local federal law enforcement agencies request locating recovering missing children sec directs attorney general implement maintain national strategy combating human trafficking includes integrated federal state local tribal efforts investigate prosecute human trafficking cases case coordination department_of_justice annual budget priorities federal efforts dedicated preventing combating human trafficking ongoing assessment future trends challenges opportunities encouragement cooperation coordination mutual support private sector federal agencies combat human trafficking