U.S. Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Ann Wagner (R-MO) introduced bipartisan legislation on Thursday that would help healthcare professionals identify and help victims of human trafficking.
The Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Act, H.R. 5405, would support training for healthcare professionals who could encounter victims of human trafficking.
Kinzinger said that it is critical that healthcare providers are trained to recognize human trafficking cases and have proper procedures to help those that are most vulnerable.
“I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of the SOAR Act and I believe this pilot program will have a significant impact towards identifying cases of human trafficking and helping more victims across the country from this disgusting crime,” Kinzinger said.
Wagner said that education and awareness are critical to fighting and ending human trafficking.
“This legislation will provide health care providers on all levels with the appropriate training and tools necessary to identify and report potential cases of human trafficking,” Wagner said. “With tens of thousands of victims being trafficked in the United States each year, I am happy to work with my colleagues across the aisle to introduce and quickly pass this legislation.”
The bill would support a pilot program underway at the Department of Health and Human Services to provide training to healthcare workers to help identify and respond to human trafficking.
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) is the lead sponsor of the legislation and U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) joined Kinzinger and Wagner as an original cosponsor.