Summary:
(Although this measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate, the text was changed by H. Con. Res. 47 which made enrollment corrections, and the summary has been modified as necessary.)

Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015

 TITLE I--JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING

(Sec. 101) This section amends the federal criminal code to impose an additional assessment until the end of FY2019 of $5,000 on any non-indigent person or entity convicted of an offense involving: (1) peonage, slavery, and trafficking in persons; (2) sexual abuse; (3) sexual exploitation and other abuse of children; (4) transportation for illegal sexual activity; or (5) human smuggling in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (exempting any individual involved in the smuggling of an alien who is the alien's spouse, parent, son, or daughter). An assessment is not payable, however, until the person being assessed has satisfied all outstanding court-ordered fines, orders of restitution, and any other obligation related to victim compensation.

This section also establishes the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund into which revenues from such assessments shall be deposited and used in in FY2016-FY2019 to award grants to states and localities to combat trafficking, provide protection and assistance for victims of trafficking, develop and implement child abuse investigation and prosecution programs, and provide services for victims of child pornography. None of the amounts in the Fund may be used to provide health care or medical items or services, except for medical items or services to victims of trafficking.

(Sec. 102) This section amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to allow U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are victims of severe forms of trafficking to obtain benefits and services available to such victims without obtaining official certification from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of their status as victims.

(Sec. 103) This section amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 to replace the pilot program to establish residential treatment facilities for juveniles subjected to trafficking with a program of three-year renewable block grants administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop, improve, or expand domestic child human trafficking deterrence programs that assist law enforcement and other entities in rescuing and restoring the lives of trafficking victims, while investigating and prosecuting offenses involving child human trafficking. No entity shall be disqualified from receiving a grant on the grounds that it has only recently begun soliciting data on child human trafficking.

Grant funds may be used for the establishment or enhancement of: (1) specialized training programs for law enforcement officers, first responders, health care and child welfare officials, juvenile justice personnel, prosecutors, and judicial personnel to identify victims and acts of child human trafficking and facilitate the rescue of child victims of human trafficking; (2) anti-trafficking law enforcement units and task forces to investigate child human trafficking offenses and to rescue victims; and (3) problem solving court programs for trafficking victims. Grant funds may also be used for activities of law enforcement agencies to find homeless and runaway youth.

DOJ must enter into a contract with a nongovernmental organization with experience in child human trafficking issues to conduct periodic evaluations of the such block grants to determine their effectiveness.

DOJ is authorized to use funds from the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund in each of FY2016-FY2020 to carry out the block grant program.

(Sec. 104) This section expand the definition of "child abuse" under the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to include human trafficking and the production of child pornography and authorizes grants to develop and implement specialized programs to identify and provide direct services to victims of child pornography.

(Sec. 105) This section provides for the forfeiture of real or personal property that was involved in the commission of human trafficking crimes. (Currently, forfeiture is allowed if the property was used or intended to be used to commit such crimes.) DOJ must transfer assets that are forfeited to satisfy victim restitution orders arising from human trafficking crimes.

(Sec. 106) This section expands DOJ authority to intercept wire, oral, or electronic communications to include investigations of offenses relating to peonage, involuntary servitude, forced labor, and trafficking.

(Sec. 107) This section amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to classify severe forms of trafficking in persons as a part I violent crime for purposes of allocating grant funds among states under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.

(Sec. 108) This section provides for the prosecution of individuals who patronize or solicit persons for a commercial sex act, thus making traffickers and buyers equally culpable for sex trafficking offenses.

(Sec. 109) This section expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the criminal liability of buyers of commercial sex acts in sex trafficking prosecutions.

(Sec. 110) This section requires DOJ to ensure that: (1) all task forces and working groups within the Innocence Lost National Initiative engage in activities, programs, or operations to increase the investigative capabilities of state and local law enforcement officers in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting persons who patronize or solicit children for sex; and (2) all components and task forces with jurisdiction to detect, investigate, and prosecute cases of child labor trafficking engage in activities, programs, or operations to increase the capacity of such components to deter and punish child labor trafficking.

(Sec. 111) This section classifies producers of child pornography as traffickers engaged in illicit sexual conduct.

The evidentiary burden on the defense, in prosecutions for transporting minors to engage in illicit sexual conduct, to show that an accused reasonably believed that the minor had attained the age of 18 years is increased from a preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing evidence.

(Sec. 112) This section classifies crimes involving peonage, slavery, and trafficking in persons as crimes of violence under the federal criminal code.

(Sec. 113) This section expands crime victims' rights by requiring notice of the right: (1) to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement, and (2) to be informed of rights and services described in the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 and contact information for the Office of the DOJ Victims' Rights Ombudsman. Appellate courts must apply ordinary standards of appellate review in reviewing appeals filed by crime victims.

Combat Human Trafficking Act of 2015

(Sec. 114) This section requires DOJ to ensure that each DOJ anti-human trafficking program includes technical training on: (1) effective methods for investigating and prosecuting persons who obtain, patronize, or solicit commercial sex acts involving a person subject to severe forms of trafficking in persons (buyers); and (2) facilitating the provision of physical and mental health services to persons subject to severe forms of trafficking in persons. The Bureau of Justice Statistics of DOJ is required to prepare and submit annual reports on state enforcement of human trafficking prohibitions.

Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act

(Sec. 115) This section establishes the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking to provide advice and recommendations to the Senior Policy Operating Group established under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. The Advisory Council terminates on September 30, 2020.

Bringing Missing Children Home Act

(Sec. 116) This section amends the Crime Control Act of 1990 to: (1) require state reports on missing children to include a recent photograph of the missing child (if available), (2) reduce from 60 days to 30 days the period for verifying and updating records on missing children in a state law enforcement system and in National Crime Information Center computer networks, (3) require notification to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children of each report received of a child reported missing from a foster care family home or childcare institution, and (4) grant permission to the National Crime Information Center Terminal Contractor to update the missing person record in the National Crime Information Center computer networks with additional information obtained from missing person investigations.

(Sec. 117) This section requires the DOJ Inspector General to conduct annual audits of grant recipients under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds. DOJ is prohibited from awarding a grant to a nonprofit organization that holds money in offshore accounts for tax avoidance purposes.

The bill imposes restrictions and reporting requirements on DOJ conferences that use more than $20,000 in DOJ funds and prohibits grant recipients from lobbying any representative of DOJ or a state, local, or tribal government regarding the award of grant funding.

Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation Act of 2015 or the SAVE Act of 2015

(Sec. 118) This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly: (1) advertising commercial sex acts involving a minor or an individual engaged in such an act through force, fraud, or coercion; or (2) benefitting financially or otherwise from such advertising knowing that the individual involved was a minor or victim of force, fraud, or coercion.

(Sec. 119) DOJ must make available on the website of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention a database for trafficking victim advocates, crisis hotline personnel, foster parents, law enforcement personnel, and crime survivors that contains information on counseling and hotline resources, housing resources, legal assistance, and other services for trafficking survivors. (Sec. 120) This section extends the statute of limitations for civil actions against perpetrators of human trafficking offenses until ten years after the victim reaches age 18. (Sec. 121) The General Accountability Office (GAO) must: (1) conduct a study on each program or initiative authorized under this Act and other specified anti-trafficking Acts to determine whether any program or initiative is duplicative, and (2) submit a report to Congress on such study. TITLE II--COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

 Subtitle A--Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking

(Sec. 201) This subtitle amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to include within criteria for awarding grants for services to runaway and homeless youth whether such youth have been subject to severe forms of trafficking in persons or sex trafficking as defined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.

Subtitle B--Improving the Response to Victims of Child Sex Trafficking

(Sec. 211) This subtitle amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to confirm that the cyber tipline for reporting internet-related child sexual exploitation includes child prostitution as a form of child sex trafficking.

Subtitle C--Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking

(Sec. 222) The Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking established under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 shall conduct a review of research and academic literature on trafficking in persons in the United States and make such review publicly available in an electronic format.

(Sec. 223) The GAO shall submit a report to Congress, one year after the enactment of this Act, that includes information on: (1) the efforts of federal and state law enforcement agencies to combat human trafficking in the United States, and (2) each federal grant program for combatting human trafficking or assisting victims of trafficking.

(Sec. 224) DOJ is authorized to provide housing to victims of trafficking under the grant program for assistance to trafficking victims in the United States and other countries.

Subtitle D--Expanded Training

(Sec. 231) This section amends the Trafficking Protection Act of 2000 to require training for federal government personnel related to trafficking in persons to include: (1) a distance learning course on trafficking-in-persons issues and the Department of State's obligations under such Act, designed for embassy reporting officers, regional bureaus' trafficking-in-persons coordinators, and their superiors; (2) specific trafficking-in-persons briefings for all ambassadors and deputy chiefs of mission before they depart for their posts; and (3) at least annual reminders to all such personnel and other federal personnel at each diplomatic or consular post outside the United States of key problems, threats, methods, and warning signs of trafficking in persons specific to the country of jurisdiction in which such post is located and appropriate procedures to report information acquired about possible trafficking cases.

 TITLE III--HERO ACT

Human Exploitation Rescue Operations Act of 2015 or the HERO Act of 2015

(Sec. 302) This title amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to operate, within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a Cyber Crimes Center to provide investigative assistance, training, and equipment to support domestic and international investigations by ICE of cyber-related crimes.

Within the Cyber Crimes Center, DHS shall operate a Child Exploitation Investigations Unit (CEIU), which shall:

 coordinate all ICE child exploitation initiatives, including investigations into child exploitation, child pornography, child victim identification, traveling child sex offenders, and forced child labor, including the sexual exploitation of minors; focus on child exploitation prevention, investigative capacity building, enforcement operations, and training for law enforcement personnel; provide training and technical expertise to cooperating law enforcement agencies and personnel; provide psychological support and counseling services for ICE personnel engaged in child exploitation prevention initiatives; collaborate with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Association to Protect Children to recruit, train, equip, and hire wounded, ill, and injured veterans and transitioning service members through the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Child Rescue Corps program; collaborate with other governmental and nongovernmental entities for the sponsorship of, and participation in, outreach and training activities; and collect and maintain data on the total number of suspects identified by ICE, the number of arrests and cases opened for investigation by ICE, and the number of cases resulting in prosecution and report on such data. DHS shall operate, within the Cyber Crimes Center, a Computer Forensics Unit (CFU). The CFU is directed to: (1) provide training and technical support in digital forensics to ICE personnel and other law enforcement personnel investigating crimes; (2) provide computer hardware, software, and forensic licenses for all computer forensics personnel within ICE; (3) participate in research and development in the area of digital forensics; and (4) collaborate with DOD and the National Association to Protect Children to recruit, train, equip, and hire wounded, ill, and injured veterans and transitioning service members through the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Child Rescue Corps program.

DHS shall also operate, within the Cyber Crimes Center, a Cyber Crimes Unit (CCU). The CCU shall: (1) oversee the cyber security strategy and cyber-related operations and programs for ICE, (2) enhance the ability of ICE to combat criminal enterprises operating on or through the Internet, (3) provide training and technical support in cyber investigations to ICE personnel and other law enforcement personnel, (4) participate in research and development in the area of cyber investigations, and (5) recruit participants in the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Child Rescue Corps program for investigative and forensic positions.

 Congress declares that Homeland Security Investigations of ICE should hire, recruit, train, and equipment wounded, ill, or injured military veterans who are affiliated with the HERO Child Rescue Corps program for investigative, intelligence, analyst, and forensic positions.

This section further amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to expand the purposes of the DHS Acceleration Fund for Research and Development of Homeland Security Technologies to include conducting research and development to advance technology for the investigation of child exploitation crimes, including child victim identification, trafficking in persons, child pornography, and for advanced forensics.

(Sec. 303) This section amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years on anyone who knowingly transports any individual with the intent that such individual engage in prostitution or in any criminal sexual activity. DOJ must grant the request by a state attorney general for designation of a state or local attorney to prosecute a violation of such an offense unless DOJ determines that granting such request would undermine the administration of justice.

TITLE IV--RAPE SURVIVOR CHILD CUSTODY

Rape Survivor Child Custody Act

(Sec. 404) This title directs DOJ to increase grant funding to states that have in place a law that allows the mother of any child that was conceived through rape to seek court-ordered termination of the parental rights of her rapist with regard to that child, which the court is authorized to grant upon clear and convincing evidence of rape. Authorizations of appropriations are provided in FY2015-FY2019 to cover such increases.

 TITLE V--MILITARY SEX OFFENDER REPORTING

Military Sex Offender Reporting Act of 2015

 (Sec. 502) This title amends the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act to direct DOD to provide DOJ with sex offender registration information, to be included in the National Sex Offender Registry and the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website, regarding persons who are required to register under such Act and who are: (1) released from military corrections facilities, or (2) convicted if the sentences adjudged by courts-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice do not include confinement.

TITLE VI--STOPPING EXPLOITATION THROUGH TRAFFICKING

(Sec. 601) This section amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize DOJ to give preferential consideration in awarding public safety and community-oriented policing 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; and (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. 602) This section amends the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (VTVPA) to require DOJ'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: (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.

(Sec. 603) This section further amends VTVPA to require 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.

(Sec. 604) This section 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. 605) This section 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. 606) This section requires DOJ to implement and maintain a National Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking, which shall include: (1) integrated federal, state, local, and tribal efforts to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases; (2) case coordination with DOJ on human trafficking investigations among the U.S. Attorneys, relevant DOJ departments, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and (3) annual budget priorities and federal efforts dedicated to preventing and combating human trafficking.

TITLE VII--TRAFFICKING AWARENESS TRAINING FOR HEALTH CARE

Trafficking Awareness Training for Health Care Act of 2015

(Sec. 702) This title requires the Health Resources and Services Administration of HHS to award a grant or contract to an accredited school of medicine or nursing with experience in the study or treatment of victims of a severe form of trafficking to train health care professionals to recognize and respond to trafficking victims.

Grantees must: (1) develop evidence-based best practices for health care professionals to recognize and respond to victims of a severe form of trafficking, (2) design and implement a pilot program to test the best practices and educational material developed to identify victims of human trafficking by health care professionals, and (3) analyze and report on the pilot program.

HHS must disseminate and post on its website evidence-based best practices identified by the pilot program as effective in recognizing potential victims of a severe form of human trafficking.

(Sec. 704) This section prohibits the authorization of additional funds to carry out this title.

 TITLE VIII--BETTER RESPONSE FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING

Ensuring a Better Response for Victims of Child Sex Trafficking

(Sec. 802) This title amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to require a state plan for its child protective services system to include a certified assurance that the state has in effect and is enforcing a law requiring: (1) identification and assessment of all reports involving children known or suspected to be victims of sex trafficking; and (2) training child protective services workers in identifying, assessing, and providing comprehensive services for children who are sex trafficking victims.

Each state receiving a grant must work with HHS to make an annual data report that includes the number of children determined to be victims of sex trafficking. A child is considered to be a victim of "child abuse and neglect" and of "sexual abuse" if the child is identified by a state or local agency employee as being a victim of sex trafficking or a victim of severe forms of trafficking in persons. A state is given the option to define "child" under such Act as a person who has not attained age 24.

 TITLE IX--ANTI-TRAFFICKING TRAINING FOR DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PERSONNEL

(Sec. 902) This title requires DHS to implement a program to: (1) train and periodically retrain relevant personnel in the Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other DHS personnel on how to effectively deter, detect, and disrupt human trafficking; and (2) ensure that such personnel regularly receive current information on matters related to the detection of human trafficking. DHS must certify to Congress that all such personnel have successfully completed required training.

(Sec. 904) DHS may provide training to assist any state, local, or tribal government or private organization in establishing a program of training to identify human trafficking.

(Sec. 905) This section expands the purposes for which funds from the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund may be used to include grant funding for state and local Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces to combat child exploitation.

TITLE X--HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS RELIEF AND EMPOWERMENT ACT

Human Trafficking Survivors Relief and Empowerment Act of 2015

(Sec. 1002) This title sets forth additional criteria for granting preferential consideration of grant applications under the public safety and community-oriented policing grant program of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 by granting preference to applicants from states that have in effect a law that: (1) provides a process by which a human trafficking survivor can move to vacate any arrest or conviction records for a non-violent offense committed as a direct result of human trafficking, including prostitution or lewdness; (2) establishes a rebuttable presumption that any arrest or conviction of an individual for a human trafficking offense is a result of being trafficked if such individual has been granted nonimmigrant status as a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons, is certified by HHS as a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, or has other similar documentation of trafficking; (3) protects the identify of individuals who are human trafficking survivors in public and court records; and (4) does not require an individual who is a human trafficking survivor to provide official documentation in order to receive protection under the law.

measure amended passed senate text changed res enrollment corrections summary modified necessary justice victims trafficking act title justice victims trafficking sec section amends federal criminal code impose additional assessment end fy2019 non indigent person entity convicted offense involving slavery trafficking persons sexual abuse sexual exploitation abuse children transportation illegal sexual activity human smuggling violation immigration_and_nationality_act exempting individual involved smuggling alien alien spouse parent son daughter assessment payable person assessed satisfied outstanding court ordered fines orders restitution obligation related victim compensation section establishes domestic trafficking victims fund revenues assessments shall deposited fy2016 fy2019 award grants states localities combat_trafficking provide protection assistance victims trafficking develop implement child abuse investigation prosecution programs provide services victims child pornography amounts fund provide health_care medical items services medical items services victims trafficking sec section amends trafficking_victims_protection_act allow citizens permanent residents victims severe forms trafficking obtain benefits services available victims obtaining official certification department_of_health_and_human_services hhs status victims sec section amends trafficking_victims_protection_reauthorization_act replace pilot program establish residential treatment facilities juveniles subjected trafficking program year renewable block grants administered department_of_justice doj develop improve expand domestic child human trafficking deterrence programs assist law enforcement entities restoring lives trafficking victims investigating prosecuting offenses involving child human trafficking entity shall disqualified receiving grant grounds recently begun soliciting data child human trafficking grant funds establishment enhancement specialized training programs law enforcement officers responders health_care child welfare officials juvenile justice personnel prosecutors judicial personnel identify victims acts child human trafficking facilitate rescue child victims human trafficking anti trafficking law enforcement units task forces investigate child human trafficking offenses rescue victims problem solving court programs trafficking victims grant funds activities law enforcement agencies find homeless runaway youth doj enter contract nongovernmental organization experience child human trafficking issues conduct periodic evaluations block grants determine effectiveness doj authorized use funds domestic trafficking victims fund fy2016-fy2020 carry block grant program sec section expand definition child abuse victims child abuse act include human trafficking production child pornography authorizes grants develop implement specialized programs identify provide direct services victims child pornography sec section provides forfeiture real personal property involved commission human trafficking crimes currently forfeiture allowed property intended commit crimes doj transfer assets forfeited satisfy victim restitution orders arising human trafficking crimes sec section expands doj authority intercept wire oral electronic communications include investigations offenses relating involuntary servitude forced labor trafficking sec section amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act classify severe forms trafficking persons violent crime purposes allocating grant funds states edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program sec section provides prosecution individuals solicit persons commercial sex act making traffickers buyers equally sex trafficking offenses sec section expresses sense congress respect criminal liability buyers commercial sex acts sex trafficking prosecutions sec section requires doj ensure task forces working groups innocence lost national initiative engage activities programs operations increase investigative capabilities state local law enforcement officers detecting investigating prosecuting persons solicit children sex components task forces jurisdiction detect investigate prosecute cases child labor trafficking engage activities programs operations increase capacity components deter punish child labor trafficking sec section classifies producers child pornography traffickers engaged illicit sexual conduct evidentiary burden defense prosecutions transporting minors engage illicit sexual conduct accused reasonably believed minor attained age years increased preponderance evidence clear convincing evidence sec section classifies crimes involving slavery trafficking persons crimes violence federal criminal code sec section expands crime victims rights requiring notice right informed timely manner plea bargain deferred prosecution agreement informed rights services described victims rights restitution act contact information office doj victims rights ombudsman appellate courts apply ordinary standards appellate review reviewing appeals filed crime victims combat human trafficking act sec section requires doj ensure doj anti human trafficking program includes technical training effective methods investigating prosecuting persons obtain solicit commercial sex acts involving person subject severe forms trafficking persons buyers facilitating provision physical mental health services persons subject severe forms trafficking persons bureau_of_justice_statistics doj required prepare submit annual reports state enforcement human trafficking prohibitions survivors human trafficking empowerment act sec section establishes united_states advisory_council human trafficking provide advice recommendations senior policy operating group established trafficking_victims_protection_act president interagency_task_force monitor combat_trafficking advisory_council terminates september bringing missing children home act sec section amends crime_control_act require state reports missing children include recent photograph missing child available reduce days days period verifying updating records missing children state law enforcement system national_crime_information_center computer networks require notification national_center_for_missing exploited_children report received child reported missing foster care family home childcare institution grant permission national_crime_information_center terminal contractor update missing person record national_crime_information_center computer networks additional information obtained missing person investigations sec section requires doj inspector_general conduct annual audits grant recipients trafficking_victims_protection_reauthorization_act prevent waste fraud abuse funds doj prohibited awarding grant nonprofit organization holds money offshore accounts tax avoidance purposes bill imposes restrictions reporting requirements doj conferences use doj funds prohibits grant recipients lobbying representative doj state local tribal government award grant funding stop advertising victims exploitation act save act sec bill amends federal criminal code prohibit knowingly advertising commercial sex acts involving minor individual engaged act force fraud coercion benefitting financially advertising knowing individual involved minor victim force fraud coercion sec doj available website office_of_juvenile_justice delinquency_prevention database trafficking victim advocates crisis hotline personnel foster parents law enforcement personnel crime survivors contains information counseling hotline resources housing resources legal assistance services trafficking survivors sec section extends statute limitations civil actions perpetrators human trafficking offenses years victim reaches age sec general_accountability_office gao conduct study program initiative authorized act specified anti trafficking acts determine program initiative duplicative submit report congress study title combating human trafficking subtitle enhancing services runaway homeless victims youth trafficking sec subtitle amends runaway homeless youth act include criteria awarding grants services runaway homeless youth youth subject severe forms trafficking persons sex trafficking defined trafficking_victims_protection_act subtitle improving response victims child sex trafficking sec subtitle amends missing children assistance_act confirm cyber tipline reporting internet related child sexual exploitation includes child prostitution form child sex trafficking subtitle interagency_task_force monitor combat_trafficking sec interagency_task_force monitor combat_trafficking established trafficking_victims_protection_act shall conduct review research academic literature trafficking persons united_states review publicly available electronic format sec gao shall submit report congress year enactment act includes information efforts federal state law enforcement agencies combat human trafficking united_states federal grant program combatting human trafficking assisting victims trafficking sec doj authorized provide housing victims trafficking grant program assistance trafficking victims united_states countries subtitle expanded training sec section amends trafficking protection act require training federal_government personnel related trafficking persons include distance learning course trafficking persons issues department_of_state obligations act designed embassy reporting officers regional bureaus trafficking persons coordinators specific trafficking persons briefings deputy chiefs mission depart posts annual personnel federal personnel diplomatic consular post outside united_states key problems threats methods warning signs trafficking persons specific country jurisdiction post located appropriate procedures report information acquired possible trafficking cases title iii hero act human exploitation rescue operations act hero act sec title amends homeland_security act direct department_of_homeland_security dhs operate immigration customs enforcement ice cyber crimes center provide investigative assistance training equipment support domestic international investigations ice cyber related crimes cyber crimes center dhs shall operate child exploitation investigations unit shall coordinate ice child exploitation initiatives including investigations child exploitation child pornography child victim identification traveling child sex offenders forced child labor including sexual exploitation minors focus child exploitation prevention investigative capacity building enforcement operations training law enforcement personnel provide training technical expertise cooperating law enforcement agencies personnel provide psychological support counseling services ice personnel engaged child exploitation prevention initiatives collaborate department_of_defense dod national association protect children recruit train equip hire wounded ill injured veterans transitioning service members human exploitation rescue operative hero child rescue corps program collaborate governmental nongovernmental entities sponsorship participation outreach training activities collect maintain data total number suspects identified ice number arrests cases opened investigation ice number cases resulting prosecution report data dhs shall operate cyber crimes center computer forensics unit directed provide training technical support digital forensics ice personnel law enforcement personnel investigating crimes provide computer hardware software forensic licenses computer forensics personnel ice participate research development area digital forensics collaborate dod national association protect children recruit train equip hire wounded ill injured veterans transitioning service members human exploitation rescue operative hero child rescue corps program dhs shall operate cyber crimes center cyber crimes unit shall oversee cyber security strategy cyber related operations programs ice enhance ability ice combat criminal enterprises operating internet provide training technical support cyber investigations ice personnel law enforcement personnel participate research development area cyber investigations recruit participants human exploitation rescue operative hero child rescue corps program investigative forensic positions congress declares homeland_security investigations ice hire recruit train equipment wounded ill injured military veterans affiliated hero child rescue corps program investigative intelligence analyst forensic positions section amends homeland_security act expand purposes dhs acceleration fund research development homeland_security technologies include conducting research development advance technology investigation child exploitation crimes including child victim identification trafficking persons child pornography advanced forensics sec section amends federal criminal code impose fine prison term years knowingly transports individual intent individual engage prostitution criminal sexual activity doj grant request state attorney general designation state local attorney prosecute violation offense doj determines granting request undermine administration justice title rape survivor child custody rape survivor child custody act sec title directs doj increase grant funding states place law allows mother child conceived rape seek court ordered termination parental rights regard child court authorized grant clear convincing evidence rape authorizations appropriations provided fy2015-fy2019 cover increases title military sex offender reporting military sex offender reporting act sec title amends sex offender registration notification act direct dod provide doj sex offender registration information included national sex offender registry national sex offender public website persons required register act released military corrections facilities convicted sentences adjudged courts martial uniform code military justice include confinement title stopping exploitation trafficking sec section amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act authorize doj preferential consideration awarding public safety community oriented policing 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 section amends victims_of_trafficking_and_violence_protection_act require doj 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 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 sec section amends require hhs annually beginning fy2017 grants national communication system assist victims severe forms trafficking persons communicating service providers sec section amends workforce innovation opportunity act include victims severe form trafficking persons eligible job_corps required demonstrate low income eligibility sec section amends federal judicial code authorize united_states_marshals_service assist state local federal law enforcement agencies request locating recovering missing children sec section requires doj implement maintain national strategy combating human trafficking shall include integrated federal state local tribal efforts investigate prosecute human trafficking cases case coordination doj human trafficking investigations attorneys relevant doj departments federal_bureau_of_investigation annual budget priorities federal efforts dedicated preventing combating human trafficking title vii trafficking awareness training health_care trafficking awareness training health_care act sec title requires health_resources_and_services_administration hhs award grant contract accredited school medicine nursing experience study treatment victims severe form trafficking train health_care professionals recognize respond trafficking victims grantees develop evidence based best practices health_care professionals recognize respond victims severe form trafficking design implement pilot program test best practices educational material developed identify victims human trafficking health_care professionals analyze report pilot program hhs disseminate post website evidence based best practices identified pilot program effective recognizing potential victims severe form human trafficking sec section prohibits authorization additional funds carry title title viii better response victims child sex trafficking ensuring better response victims child sex trafficking sec title amends child abuse prevention treatment act require state plan child protective services system include certified assurance state effect enforcing law requiring identification assessment reports involving children known suspected victims sex trafficking training child protective services workers identifying assessing providing comprehensive services children sex trafficking victims state receiving grant work hhs annual data report includes number children determined victims sex trafficking child considered victim child abuse neglect sexual abuse child identified state local agency employee victim sex trafficking victim severe forms trafficking persons state given option define child act person attained age title anti trafficking training department_of_homeland_security personnel sec title requires dhs implement program train periodically retrain relevant personnel transportation_security_administration customs border_protection dhs personnel effectively deter detect disrupt human trafficking ensure personnel regularly receive current information matters related detection human trafficking dhs certify congress personnel successfully completed required training sec dhs provide training assist state local tribal government private organization establishing program training identify human trafficking sec section expands purposes funds domestic trafficking victims fund include grant funding state local internet crimes children task forces combat child exploitation title human trafficking survivors relief empowerment act human trafficking survivors relief empowerment act sec title sets forth additional criteria granting preferential consideration grant applications public safety community oriented policing grant program omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act granting preference applicants states effect law provides process human trafficking survivor vacate arrest conviction records non violent offense committed direct result human trafficking including prostitution establishes rebuttable presumption arrest conviction individual human trafficking offense result trafficked individual granted nonimmigrant status victim severe form trafficking persons certified hhs victim severe form trafficking persons trafficking_victims_protection_act similar documentation trafficking protects identify individuals human trafficking survivors public court records require individual human trafficking survivor provide official documentation order receive protection law


Summary:
Trafficking Awareness Training for Health Care Act of 2015

Requires the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to award one medical or nursing school a grant to develop best practices for health care professionals to recognize and respond appropriately to victims of severe forms of human trafficking.

Requires the grantee to: (1) develop methods or materials to train health care professionals on best practices, (2) make a subgrant to one entity in each of the 10 administrative regions of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a pilot program to test the best practices and training, and (3) analyze the results of the pilot programs and determine which best practices are evidence-based.

Directs HHS to disseminate evidence-based best practices on their website and to health care profession schools.

trafficking awareness training health_care act requires agency healthcare_research_and_quality award medical nursing school grant develop best practices health_care professionals recognize respond appropriately victims severe forms human trafficking requires grantee develop methods materials train health_care professionals best practices subgrant entity administrative regions department_of_health_and_human_services hhs create pilot program test best practices training analyze results pilot programs determine best practices evidence based directs hhs disseminate evidence based best practices website health_care profession schools


Summary:
Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2015

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) implementation of the United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP) is paramount in improving the lives of women around the world and increasing global stability and prosperity, (2) Congress is committed to advancing NAP principles, and (3) the President should ensure NAP's implementation and coordinate with the international community to reaffirm global commitments to implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

States that it is U.S. policy to implement NAP.

 Directs the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to: (1) integrate gender goals into diplomatic and development efforts, and into agency guidance and contracting; (2) include gender in strategic and budget planning processes; and (3) review existing U.S. policies and programs on women and girls in foreign countries from a gender perspective.

Directs the heads of federal departments and agencies to ensure that NAP's tenets are incorporated into all programs related to: (1) conflict prevention, (2) humanitarian and disaster response, (3) conflict mediation, (4) peacekeeping, (5) post-conflict reconstruction, (6) institution building, and (7) democracy promotion.

Urges the Secretary to promote the inclusion of women in coordination and consultation with international partners.

Directs the Secretary, the Administrator, the Secretary of Defense and representatives of other federal agencies to implement NAP and ensure relevant personnel training.

Directs the Secretary to facilitate the efforts of partner governments to improve women's participation in peace and security processes, conflict prevention, peace-building, transitional processes, and decision making institutions in conflict-affected environments.

Directs the Secretary and the Administrator to establish guidelines for overseas U.S. personnel to consult with specified stakeholders regarding U.S. efforts to: (1) prevent, mitigate, or resolve violent conflict; and (2) enhance the success of mediation and negotiation processes by ensuring women's meaningful participation.

women peace security act expresses sense congress implementation united_states national action plan women peace security paramount improving lives women world increasing global stability prosperity congress committed advancing principles president ensure implementation coordinate international community reaffirm global commitments implementation united_nations security_council resolution states policy implement directs secretary state administrator agency international_development integrate gender goals diplomatic development efforts agency guidance contracting include gender strategic budget planning processes review existing policies programs women girls foreign countries gender perspective directs heads federal departments agencies ensure incorporated programs related conflict prevention humanitarian disaster response conflict mediation peacekeeping post conflict reconstruction institution building democracy promotion urges secretary promote inclusion women coordination consultation international partners directs secretary administrator secretary defense representatives federal agencies implement ensure relevant personnel training directs secretary facilitate efforts partner governments improve women participation peace security processes conflict prevention peace building transitional processes decision making institutions conflict affected environments directs secretary administrator establish guidelines overseas personnel consult specified stakeholders efforts prevent mitigate resolve violent conflict enhance success mediation negotiation processes ensuring women meaningful participation


Summary:
Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act

(Sec. 3) This bill authorizes 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 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, including the expropriation of private or public assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, bribery, 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. The authority to block and prohibit transactions in property and property interests shall not include the authority to impose sanctions on the importation of goods (any article, natural or man made substance, material, supply or manufactured product, including inspection and test equipment, excluding technical data).

 The President shall, after receiving a request from the chairperson and ranking member of one of the appropriate congressional committees with respect to whether a foreign person has engaged in a prohibited activity:

 determine if the person has engaged in such an activity; and report to the chairperson and ranking member whether or not the President imposed or intends to impose specified sanctions against the person. Sanctions shall not apply to an individual as necessary for law enforcement purposes, or 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 may terminate sanctions under specified conditions.

The Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor may submit to the Department of State the names of foreign persons who may meet the sanctions criteria.

(Sec. 4) The President shall report to Congress annually regarding each foreign person sanctioned, the type of sanctions imposed, and the reason for their imposition.

global human rights accountability_act sec bill authorizes president impose entry property sanctions foreign person entity responsible extrajudicial killings torture gross violations internationally recognized human rights committed individuals foreign country 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 including expropriation private public assets personal gain corruption related government contracts extraction natural resources bribery facilitation transfer proceeds corruption foreign jurisdictions materially assisted provided financial material technological support goods services support activities authority block prohibit transactions property property interests shall include authority impose sanctions importation goods article natural man substance material supply manufactured product including inspection test equipment excluding technical data president shall receiving request chairperson ranking member appropriate congressional committees respect foreign person engaged prohibited activity determine person engaged activity report chairperson ranking member president imposed intends impose specified sanctions person sanctions shall apply individual necessary law enforcement purposes comply agreement united_nations united_states headquarters applicable international obligations united_states president terminate sanctions specified conditions assistant secretary state democracy human rights labor submit department_of_state names foreign persons meet sanctions criteria sec president shall report congress annually foreign person sanctioned type sanctions imposed reason imposition


Summary:
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of State to establish in the Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor a Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Peoples who shall:

 direct U.S. government efforts regarding the human rights of LGBT people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender); represent the United States in diplomatic matters relevant to the human rights of LGBT people, including discrimination and violence against LGBT people; serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary of State regarding human rights for LGBT people; and implement activities regarding support, education, resettlement, and empowerment of LGBT people. Directs the Special Envoy to develop or update annually for five years a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people.

Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide assistance to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people.

international human rights defense act directs secretary state establish department_of_state bureau democracy human rights labor special envoy human rights lgbt peoples shall direct government efforts human rights lgbt people lesbian gay bisexual transgender represent united_states diplomatic matters relevant human rights lgbt people including discrimination violence lgbt people serve principal advisor secretary state human rights lgbt people implement activities support education resettlement empowerment lgbt people directs special envoy develop update annually years global strategy prevent respond discrimination violence lgbt people authorizes secretary administrator agency international_development provide assistance prevent respond discrimination violence lgbt people


Summary:
Combating Human Trafficking Act of 2015

Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act of 2015

Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act with respect to grants to states, localities, and private entities to carry out research, evaluation, demonstration, and service projects regarding activities designed to increase knowledge concerning, and to improve services for, runaway youth and homeless youth.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to give priority to proposed projects relating to staff training in:

 the behavioral and emotional effects of severe forms of trafficking in persons and sex trafficking, responding to youth who are showing effects of severe forms of trafficking in persons and sex trafficking, and agency-wide strategies for working with runaway and homeless youth who are victims of trafficking. Extends the Secretary's authority to make grants to nonprofit private agencies for the purpose of providing street-based services to runaway and homeless, and street youth, who have been subjected to, or are at risk of being subjected to, sexual abuse, prostitution, or sexual exploitation. Extends the scope of such grants also to street-based services to runaway and homeless, and street youth, who have been subjected to, or are at risk of being subjected to, severe forms of trafficking in persons and sex trafficking.

Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to include among the required uses of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's annual grant to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children operation of a cyber tipline to provide online users and electronic service providers an effective means of reporting Internet-related child sexual exploitation in the area of child sex trafficking, including child prostitution (currently, in the area of child prostitution).

Human Trafficking Prevention and Recovery Act of 2015

Requires the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking to review trafficking in persons in the United States.

Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on: (1) the efforts of federal and state law enforcement agencies to combat human trafficking in the United States, and (2) each federal grant program one of whose purposes is to combat human trafficking or assist victims of trafficking.

Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to include programs that provide housing to victims of trafficking among grant-receiving state, local, and tribal service programs for victims of trafficking.

combating human trafficking act enhancing services runaway homeless victims youth trafficking act amends runaway homeless youth act respect grants states localities private entities carry research evaluation demonstration service projects activities designed increase knowledge concerning improve services runaway youth homeless youth requires secretary health_and_human_services priority proposed projects relating staff training behavioral emotional effects severe forms trafficking persons sex trafficking responding youth showing effects severe forms trafficking persons sex trafficking agency wide strategies working runaway homeless youth victims trafficking extends secretary authority grants nonprofit private agencies purpose providing street based services runaway homeless street youth subjected risk subjected sexual abuse prostitution sexual exploitation extends scope grants street based services runaway homeless street youth subjected risk subjected severe forms trafficking persons sex trafficking amends missing children assistance_act include required uses office_of_juvenile_justice delinquency_prevention annual grant national_center_for_missing exploited_children operation cyber tipline provide online users electronic service providers effective means reporting internet related child sexual exploitation area child sex trafficking including child prostitution currently area child prostitution human trafficking prevention recovery_act requires interagency_task_force monitor combat_trafficking review trafficking persons united_states directs comptroller_general report congress efforts federal state law enforcement agencies combat human trafficking united_states federal grant program purposes combat human trafficking assist victims trafficking amends trafficking_victims_protection_act include programs provide housing victims trafficking grant receiving state local tribal service programs victims trafficking


Summary:
End Modern Slavery Initiative Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that:

 the United States has a long history of domestic and international engagement in preventing and responding to modern slavery; modern slavery involves extensive criminal activity and demands U.S. attention and commitment; the United States must exert all efforts to eradicate modern-day slavery domestically; there is a need for international public and private cooperation to increase resources for programs to reduce the prevalence of modern slavery by building the capacity of foreign governments to deter its perpetrators; and countries that fall within the first and second tiers of the Department of State's annual Trafficking in Persons report could qualify as partner countries, and many countries on the Tier 2 watch list may also qualify and should be eligible for funding as partner countries. (Sec. 3) The bill also declares U.S. policy to:

 marshal resources to seek to end modern slavery through matching funds to a private grant-making institution that selects and supports innovative strategies, allow such a private grant-making institution the flexibility to work in other committed countries, and through U.S. foreign assistance programs help other countries with a high prevalence of modern slavery become eligible to be partner countries for additional assistance under the End Modern Slavery Initiative established by this Act. (Sec. 4) The bill establishes the End Modern Slavery Initiative Foundation to work with government, civil society, and private institutions in partner countries and key jurisdictions of other countries supported by the Foundation with a high prevalence of modern slavery to identify and fund successful strategies to combat modern slavery.

(Sec. 5) The Department of State may make grants to the Foundation or to another nonprofit organization meeting certain criteria that seeks to receive foreign government contributions in a ratio of two-to-one and private sector contributions in a ratio of three-to-one to U.S. government funding.

 The bill authorizes FY2015-FY2022 appropriations.

(Sec. 6) The U.S. government shall seek other foreign governments providing Foundation support to provide additional support, including diplomatic support, for projects in partner countries.

(Sec. 7) Foundation priorities shall be to:

 select partner countries and key jurisdictions in other countries, support programs and projects that seek to measurably reduce modern slavery in targeted populations within partner countries and key jurisdictions of other countries of at least 50% over a seven-year period, prioritize programs and projects, work with funded partner countries and entities to establish budgeted national plans that leverage partner country public and private funding and institutions, and establish national coordinators and leadership councils in partner countries. (Sec. 8) The bill prescribes program monitoring and evaluation requirements.

(Sec. 9) The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on all of the programs conducted by the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Labor, the Department of Defense, and the Department of the Treasury that address human trafficking and modern slavery.

end modern slavery initiative act sec bill expresses sense congress united_states long history domestic international engagement preventing responding modern slavery modern slavery involves extensive criminal activity demands attention commitment united_states efforts eradicate modern day slavery domestically need international public private cooperation increase resources programs reduce prevalence modern slavery building capacity foreign governments deter perpetrators countries fall second tiers department_of_state annual trafficking persons report qualify partner countries countries tier watch list qualify eligible funding partner countries sec bill declares policy marshal resources seek end modern slavery matching funds private grant making institution selects supports innovative strategies allow private grant making institution flexibility work committed countries foreign assistance programs help countries high prevalence modern slavery eligible partner countries additional assistance end modern slavery initiative established act sec bill establishes end modern slavery initiative foundation work government civil society private institutions partner countries key jurisdictions countries supported foundation high prevalence modern slavery identify fund successful strategies combat modern slavery sec department_of_state grants foundation nonprofit organization meeting certain criteria seeks receive foreign government contributions ratio private sector contributions ratio government funding bill authorizes fy2015 fy2022 appropriations sec government shall seek foreign governments providing foundation support provide additional support including diplomatic support projects partner countries sec foundation priorities shall select partner countries key jurisdictions countries support programs projects seek measurably reduce modern slavery targeted populations partner countries key jurisdictions countries seven year period prioritize programs projects work funded partner countries entities establish budgeted national plans leverage partner country public private funding institutions establish national coordinators leadership councils partner countries sec bill prescribes program monitoring evaluation requirements sec government_accountability_office shall report congress programs conducted state_department agency international_development department_of_labor department_of_defense department_of_the_treasury address human trafficking modern slavery


Summary:
Human Trafficking Detection Act of 2015

 Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement a program to: (1) train relevant Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other DHS personnel on the best way to effectively deter, detect, and disrupt human trafficking and to interdict suspected perpetrators during the course of their primary roles and responsibilities; and (2) ensure that such personnel regularly receive current information on matters related to the detection of human trafficking.

Permits training to be conducted through in-class or virtual learning capabilities. Requires such training to include:

 methods for identifying suspected victims and perpetrators of human trafficking, methods for approaching a suspected victim in a manner that is sensitive to the victim and not likely to alert a perpetrator, training that is most appropriate for a particular location or environment, and a post-training evaluation of trainees. Directs the Secretary: (1) to reassess the training program annually; (2) within one year after enactment of this Act, to submit a certification to the appropriate congressional committees confirming that all such personnel have successfully completed the required training; and (3) to report annually on the overall effectiveness of the training program and on the number of cases reported by DHS personnel in which human trafficking was suspected and the number that were confirmed cases of human trafficking.

Authorizes the Secretary, upon request, to provide training curricula to assist any state, local, or tribal government or private organization to establish a training program to identify human trafficking.

human trafficking detection act directs secretary homeland_security dhs implement program train relevant transportation_security_administration customs border_protection dhs personnel best way effectively deter detect disrupt human trafficking interdict suspected perpetrators course primary roles responsibilities ensure personnel regularly receive current information matters related detection human trafficking permits training conducted class virtual learning capabilities requires training include methods identifying suspected victims perpetrators human trafficking methods approaching suspected victim manner sensitive victim likely alert perpetrator training appropriate particular location environment post training evaluation trainees directs secretary reassess training program annually year enactment act submit certification appropriate congressional committees confirming personnel successfully completed required training report annually overall effectiveness training program number cases reported dhs personnel human trafficking suspected number confirmed cases human trafficking authorizes secretary request provide training curricula assist state local tribal government private organization establish training program identify human trafficking


Summary:
Human Trafficking Survivors Relief and Empowerment Act of 2015

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to direct the Attorney General to give preferential consideration for a public safety and community policing grant to an applicant in a state that has in effect a law that:

 provides a process by which an individual who is a human trafficking survivor can move to vacate any arrest or conviction records for prostitution or any other non-violent offense committed as a direct result of human trafficking; establishes a rebuttable presumption that any arrest or conviction of an individual for an offense associated with human trafficking is a result of being trafficked, if the individual has been granted nonimmigrant status as a victim of severe form of human trafficking, is the subject of a certification by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as willing to assist in an investigation and prosecution of severe forms of trafficking in persons, or has other similar documentation of trafficking issued by a federal agency; protects the identity of individuals who are human trafficking survivors in public and court records; and does not require an individual who is a human trafficking survivor to provide official documentation as described in this Act in order to receive protection under the law. Authorizes the Legal Services Corporation and the recipients of its funding to provide legal services on behalf a human trafficking survivor applying for a motion to vacate under such a state law.

human trafficking survivors relief empowerment act amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act direct attorney general preferential consideration public safety community policing grant applicant state effect law provides process individual human trafficking survivor vacate arrest conviction records prostitution non violent offense committed direct result human trafficking establishes rebuttable presumption arrest conviction individual offense associated human trafficking result trafficked individual granted nonimmigrant status victim severe form human trafficking subject certification secretary health_and_human_services willing assist investigation prosecution severe forms trafficking persons similar documentation trafficking issued federal agency protects identity individuals human trafficking survivors public court records require individual human trafficking survivor provide official documentation described act order receive protection law authorizes legal_services_corporation recipients funding provide legal services behalf human trafficking survivor applying motion vacate state law


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Syrian War Crimes Accountability Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) Declares that Congress:

 condemns the ongoing violence, use of chemical weapons, targeting of civilian populations, and systematic gross human rights violations carried out by government of Syria and pro-government forces under the direction of President Bashar al-Assad, as well as abuses committed by extremist groups and other combatants involved in the civil war in Syria; supports the people of Syria seeking democratic change; urges all parties to the conflict to halt attacks on civilians; calls on the President to support efforts in Syria and on the part of the international community to ensure accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict; and calls for a United Nations Security Council investigation into gross violations of human rights and war crimes committed during the Syrian conflict. (Sec. 4) Requires the Department of State to report to Congress regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria, including descriptions of:

 violations of internationally recognized human rights, war crimes, and crimes against humanity perpetrated during the civil war in Syria; and efforts by the Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to ensure accountability for violations of internationally recognized human rights, international humanitarian law, and crimes against humanity perpetrated in Syria by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, violent extremist groups, and other combatants involved in the conflict.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated syrian war crimes accountability_act sec declares congress ongoing violence use chemical weapons targeting civilian populations systematic gross human rights violations carried government syria pro government forces direction president bashar_al-assad abuses committed extremist groups combatants involved civil war syria supports people syria seeking democratic change urges parties conflict halt attacks civilians calls president support efforts syria international community ensure accountability war crimes crimes humanity committed conflict calls united_nations security_council investigation gross violations human rights war crimes committed syrian conflict sec requires department_of_state report congress war crimes crimes humanity syria including descriptions violations internationally recognized human rights war crimes crimes humanity perpetrated civil war syria efforts department agency international_development ensure accountability violations internationally recognized human rights international humanitarian law crimes humanity perpetrated syria regime president bashar_al-assad violent extremist groups combatants involved conflict


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on May 21, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Girls Count Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to:

 encourage countries to support the rule of law and ensure girls and boys of all ages are able to fully participate in society, including by providing birth certifications and other official documentation; enhance training and capacity-building in key developing countries, local nongovernmental organizations, and other civil society organizations in the design, implementation, and monitoring of programs to address the needs of birth registries in countries where girls are systematically under counted; and incorporate into the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies and programs measures to evaluate the impact on girls of such policies and programs. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to support:

 programs that contribute to improved civil registration and vital statistics systems with a focus on birth registration; programs that build the capacity of developing countries' national and local legal and policy frameworks to prevent discrimination against girls in gaining access to birth certificates; and programs and key ministries to increase property rights, social security, home ownership, land tenure security, inheritance rights, access to education, and economic and entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for women and girls. Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator to coordinate with multilateral organizations and private sector and civil society organizations to advocate for the registration and documentation of all girls and boys in developing countries.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary and the Administrator to include in relevant evaluations and reports to Congress the following information:

 a breakdown of U.S. foreign assistance beneficiaries by age, gender, marital status, location, and school enrollment status; a description of how U.S. foreign assistance benefits girls; and specific information on programs that address the particular needs of girls.

measure amended reported senate summary version repeated girls count act sec bill states policy encourage countries support rule law ensure girls boys ages able fully participate society including providing birth certifications official documentation enhance training capacity building key developing countries local nongovernmental organizations civil society organizations design implementation monitoring programs address needs birth registries countries girls systematically counted incorporate design implementation evaluation policies programs measures evaluate impact girls policies programs sec authorizes secretary administrator agency international_development support programs contribute improved civil registration vital statistics systems focus birth registration programs build capacity developing countries national local legal policy frameworks prevent discrimination girls gaining access birth certificates programs key ministries increase property rights social_security home ownership land tenure security inheritance rights access education economic entrepreneurial opportunities particularly women girls authorizes secretary administrator coordinate multilateral organizations private sector civil society organizations advocate registration documentation girls boys developing countries sec directs secretary administrator include relevant evaluations reports congress following information breakdown foreign assistance beneficiaries age gender marital status location school enrollment status description foreign assistance benefits girls specific information programs address particular needs girls


Summary:
SOAR to Health and Wellness Act of 2015

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 provide training to health care providers and other related providers on human trafficking.

The objectives of the pilot program shall be to provide training to enable such providers to:

 identify potential human trafficking victims; implement proper protocols and procedures for working with law enforcement to report and facilitate communication with victims in accordance with all applicable federal, state, local, and tribal requirements; implement proper protocols and procedures for referring victims to social or victims service agencies or organizations; provide such victims care that is coordinated, victim centered, culturally relevant, comprehensive, evidence based, gender responsive, age appropriate, and trauma informed; and consider the potential for integrating such training with existing training programs for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, child abuse, child neglect, child maltreatment, and child sexual exploitation. Functions of the pilot program shall include the functions of the training program that was operating on the day before this Act's enactment and the following authorized initiatives:

 engaging stakeholders, including human trafficking victims and any federal, state, local, or tribal partners, to develop a flexible training module that achieves such pilot program objectives and that adapts to changing needs, settings,and providers; making grants available to support training in health care sites that represent diversity in geography, the demographics of the population served, the predominate types of human trafficking cases, and health care provider profiles; providing technical assistance for health education programs to implement a nationwide health care protocol, or to develop continuing education training materials, that assist in achieving such objectives; developing a strategy to incentivize the utilization of training materials developed under this Act and the implementation of a nationwide health care protocol; and developing a reliable methodology for collecting and reporting data on the number of human trafficking victims identified and served in health care settings or other related provider settings. The program shall terminate on October 1, 2021.

The bill requires HHS, during each of FY2016-FY2020, to collect data on the number of facilities that were operating under the program, and the total number of health care and related providers trained through the program, during such periods.

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 provide training health_care providers related providers human trafficking objectives pilot program shall provide training enable providers identify potential human trafficking victims implement proper protocols procedures working law enforcement report facilitate communication victims accordance applicable federal state local tribal requirements implement proper protocols procedures referring victims social victims service agencies organizations provide victims care coordinated victim centered culturally relevant comprehensive evidence based gender responsive age appropriate trauma informed consider potential integrating training existing training programs victims domestic violence dating violence sexual_assault stalking child abuse child neglect child maltreatment child sexual exploitation functions pilot program shall include functions training program operating day act enactment following authorized initiatives engaging stakeholders including human trafficking victims federal state local tribal partners develop flexible training module achieves pilot program objectives changing needs settings providers making grants available support training health_care sites represent diversity geography demographics population served types human trafficking cases health_care provider profiles providing technical assistance health education programs implement nationwide health_care protocol develop continuing education training materials assist achieving objectives developing strategy incentivize utilization training materials developed act implementation nationwide health_care protocol developing reliable methodology collecting reporting data number human trafficking victims identified served health_care settings related provider settings program shall terminate october bill requires hhs fy2016-fy2020 collect data number facilities operating program total number health_care related providers trained program periods


Summary:
Ensuring the Safety and Security of Iranian Dissidents in Iraq Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of State to submit an assessment to Congress of whether or not the government of Iraq is taking sufficient actions to ensure the safety and security of dissidents housed at Camp Liberty, Iraq.

ensuring safety security iranian iraq act bill directs department_of_state submit assessment congress government iraq taking sufficient actions ensure safety security housed camp liberty iraq


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:
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 President's annual review of the status of religious freedom in each foreign country to include determinations regarding religious freedom violations being engaged in or tolerated in territories in which a government does not exist or does not exercise control. Directs the President to designate nonstate actors that have engaged in particularly severe violations as entities of particular concern for religious freedom.

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

Requires appointments to USCIRF to be made not later than 90 days after the creation of a vacancy.

Directs USCIRF, during its first meeting after May 30, 2016, to elect: (1) as Chair, a Commissioner appointed by an elected official of the political party of the President; and (2) as Vice Chair, a Commissioner appointed by an elected official of the political party that is not the political party of the President (or on the occasion of two Vice Chairs, one Vice Chair appointed by an elected official of the President's party and the other Vice Chair appointed by an elected official of the other party). Sets forth a process for future elections in which the positions of Chair and Vice Chair rotate annually between Commissioners appointed by elected officials of each political party.

Allows the Ambassador at Large to attend all meetings as a nonvoting member.

Removes authority under which a USCIRF member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office.

Requires (currently, allows) USCIRF to hold hearings, take actions and testimony, and receive evidence.

Requires USCIRF to conduct an annual review of the Executive Director.

Directs USCIRF to work with the Executive Director to establish internal hiring practices for professional staff.

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

Prohibits Commissioners from permitting any person, entity, or special interest group, including foreign governments and state-owned enterprises, to inappropriately influence or pose a conflict of interest with a Commissioner's official duties. Requires Commissioners to recuse themselves from related discussions or decisions if such an inappropriate influence or conflict is discovered.

Revises restrictions on USCIRF's acceptance of gifts and donations to permit sponsoring private parties to provide compensation and benefits to interns, fellows, and volunteers under specified conditions.

Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require the State Department to receive assistance from 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.

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 president annual review status religious freedom foreign country include determinations religious freedom violations engaged territories government exist exercise control directs president designate actors engaged particularly severe violations entities particular concern religious freedom requires expertise variety world requires appointments later days creation vacancy directs meeting elect chair commissioner appointed elected official political party president vice chair commissioner appointed elected official political party political party president occasion vice chairs vice chair appointed elected official president party vice chair appointed elected official party sets forth process future elections positions chair vice chair annually commissioners appointed elected officials political party allows ambassador large attend meetings nonvoting member removes authority member serve expiration member term successor taken office requires currently allows hold hearings actions testimony receive evidence requires conduct annual review executive director directs work executive director establish internal hiring practices professional staff encourages department_of_state allow classified information accessed commissioners staff appropriate security clearance prohibits commissioners permitting person entity special interest group including foreign governments state owned enterprises inappropriately influence pose conflict interest commissioner official duties requires commissioners related discussions decisions inappropriate influence conflict discovered revises restrictions acceptance gifts donations permit sponsoring private parties provide compensation benefits interns fellows volunteers specified conditions amends foreign_service act require state_department receive assistance establishing training foreign_service officers field internationally recognized human rights including instruction relationship religious freedom security role religious freedom foreign policy


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 immigration 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 immigration 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:
Business Supply Chain Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act of 2015

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) legislation is necessary to provide consumers information on products that are free of child labor, forced labor, slavery, and human trafficking; and (2) businesses and consumers, by means of publicly available disclosures, can avoid inadvertently promoting or sanctioning these crimes through production and purchase of raw materials, goods, and finished products that have been tainted in the supply chains.

The bill amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), within one year after enactment of this Act, to promulgate regulations requiring any covered issuer of a registered security to include in its mandatory annual report a disclosure of whether the issuer has taken any measures during the year to identify and address conditions of forced labor, slavery, human trafficking, and the worst forms of child labor within the issuer's supply chains. The term "covered issuer" means an issuer that has annual worldwide global receipts in excess of $100 million.

The regulations shall mandate that the required information be disclosed on such issuer's Internet website through a conspicuous and easily understandable link to the relevant information labeled "Global Supply Chain Transparency."

The SEC must make available to the public in a searchable format on its website: (1) a list of covered issuers required to disclose such information, and (2) a compilation of the information disclosed.

business supply chain transparency trafficking slavery act bill expresses sense congress legislation necessary provide consumers information products free child labor forced labor slavery human trafficking businesses consumers means publicly available disclosures avoid inadvertently promoting sanctioning crimes production purchase raw materials goods finished products supply chains bill amends securities_exchange_act direct securities_and_exchange_commission sec year enactment act promulgate regulations requiring covered issuer registered security include mandatory annual report disclosure issuer taken measures year identify address conditions forced labor slavery human trafficking worst forms child labor issuer supply chains term covered issuer means issuer annual worldwide global receipts excess million regulations shall mandate required information disclosed issuer internet website conspicuous easily understandable link relevant information labeled global supply chain transparency sec available public searchable format website list covered issuers required disclose information compilation information disclosed