Counter Human Trafficking Research and Development Act

Counter Human Trafficking Research and Development Act

This bill establishes a counter human trafficking initiative.

Specifically, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) must establish a National Counter Human Trafficking Research and Development Initiative to improve counter human trafficking efforts.

The OSTP must establish or designate an interagency committee, which shall be co-chaired by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and include representatives from any other appropriate federal agency. The committee shall oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the initiative and establish and periodically update the initiative's goals and priorities. In addition, the committee must develop and periodically update a strategic plan.

Not later than 180 days after the enactment of this bill, the NSF must establish an advisory committee on counter human trafficking research and development. The advisory committee shall assess

• the coordination, implementation, and activities of the initiative;
• the balance of activities and funding across the initiative; and
• the need to revise the program.

Not later than 90 days after the enactment of this bill, the Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study that includes an assessment of human trafficking data collection needs and practices of federal agencies, local nongovernmental organizations, law enforcement, and prosecutors to improve federal research and development to prevent, identify, and disrupt human trafficking.

Bill 117 HR 7710, also known as the Counter Human Trafficking Research and Development Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of combating human trafficking through research and development initiatives. The bill seeks to allocate funding towards research projects that focus on understanding the root causes of human trafficking, as well as developing innovative solutions to prevent and combat this heinous crime.

The Counter Human Trafficking Research and Development Act emphasizes the importance of collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions in order to effectively address the issue of human trafficking. By investing in research and development efforts, the bill aims to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in identifying and prosecuting human traffickers, as well as providing support and resources to victims of trafficking.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the establishment of a task force dedicated to coordinating research and development activities related to human trafficking. This task force will be responsible for identifying gaps in current knowledge and developing strategies to address these gaps through targeted research initiatives. Overall, the Counter Human Trafficking Research and Development Act represents a bipartisan effort to combat human trafficking through evidence-based approaches. By investing in research and development, the bill aims to strengthen the nation's response to human trafficking and ultimately protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to this form of modern-day slavery.