Meijer’s anti-human trafficking bill advances to Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) that would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand its Blue Campaign, which coordinates DHS actions to identify and prevent human trafficking.

The congressman on July 20 spoke on the House floor in support of his bill, the DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act, H.R. 2795, which he introduced on April 22 with lead original bill cosponsor U.S. Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA). 

If enacted, the bill would require DHS to provide web-based training for law enforcement and corrections personnel, and establish an advisory board for the Blue Campaign, according to the text of the bill.

“This bill, which I am proud to have introduced with my colleague, the chairman of the Homeland Security oversight subcommittee, Representative Correa, has one very specific goal: to combat human trafficking,” Rep. Meijer said. “To end this horrific practice, we must use a multipronged approach. A critical component to this strategy is ensuring that law enforcement personnel and employees in customer-facing industries are trained to identify a potential victim of human trafficking by recognizing key indicators and then taking appropriate action.” 

The congressman pointed out that the Blue Campaign, which DHS started in 2010 to unify and coordinate department efforts to address human trafficking, enables the DHS workforce, the industries they work with and the public to recognize the indicators of human trafficking and take steps to alert the proper authorities.  

“My bill, the DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act, bolsters these efforts by creating an advisory board to inform and coordinate training among the DHS components,” said Rep. Meijer. “The bill will also increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the trainings DHS provides for its personnel, industries, and state and local law enforcement partners.” 

Additionally, H.R. 2795 would increase the online training DHS provides, enabling the department to reach a broader audience more quickly, he added.  

H.R. 2795 is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, SEE: Solutions to End Exploitation, the Kent County Area Human Trafficking Coalition, and Life Support Counseling and Coaching.

Currently the bill is being considered by the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.