U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) on Aug. 10 sponsored the bipartisan Human Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Training Act.
“Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery,” Rep. Buchanan said on Aug. 11. “As schools reopen this week, we need to educate students and teachers about the horrors of human trafficking.”
Rep. Buchanan introduced H.R. 4989 with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) to amend current law to authorize $75 million in funding over a five-year period for a grant program to implement curricula for training students, teachers and school personnel to understand, recognize, prevent, and respond to signs of human trafficking and exploitation in children and youth, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“This is critical to helping current victims and preventing future instances of trafficking, which is especially important in hotspots like Florida,” said Rep. Buchanan. “I look forward to working with Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz to end this vile and monstrous crime.”
If enacted, the grant program authorized under H.R.4989 would be created within the Office of Trafficking in Persons under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grants would be issued to nonprofit organizations that have shown expertise in creating and teaching human trafficking and exploitation prevention curricula. Funding would be prioritized for nonprofits serving geographic areas with the highest prevalence of human trafficking, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Buchanan’s staff.
The Sarasota, Fla.-based Selah Way Foundation endorsed the bill, which is being reviewed by members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.