House advances bipartisan Mace bill to improve access to human trafficking hotline

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on Monday applauded recent approval by the U.S. House of Representatives of the bipartisan Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022, which she signed on to as an original cosponsor.

“Thanks to the bipartisan leadership and unanimous support from my colleagues, we can ensure perpetrators of this heinous crime are held accountable and victims can receive the help they need,” Rep. Mace said. 

The House on Sept. 19 approved H.R. 7181, which Rep. Mace introduced on March 21 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and two other original cosponsors. Since then, the bill has gained a dozen more cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

If enacted, H.R. 7181 would require that the contact information of the toll-free National Human Trafficking Hotline be posted in specific places, including in a visible place in all federal buildings; in the restrooms of each U.S. aircraft, airport, over-the-road bus, bus station, passenger train, and passenger railroad station; and at each port of entry, according to the congressional record bill summary.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24/7/365 in hundreds of languages at: 1-888-373-7888, TTY: 711, Text: 233733

“Human trafficking is a crime that often goes unnoticed in our communities,” said Rep. Mace. “Even something as simple as knowing who to call can help a victim free themselves from this horrific crime.”

The U.S. Senate on Sept. 20 received the House-approved H.R. 7171 and referred it to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for consideration.