H.R. 1144 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Feb 7, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryReauthorizes anti-trafficking programs through 2029
This bill extends funding and authority for federal programs that work to stop international human trafficking and modern slavery through 2029. It establishes a new program through the Department of Health and Human Services to help trafficking victims rebuild their lives. The bill also updates how the U.S. tracks countries' efforts to fight trafficking and requires the State Department to include information about organ trafficking in its annual report.
How it affects you
If you or someone you know is a trafficking victim, the new reintegration program means additional support services may be available to help rebuild your life. For most Americans, this bill has no direct effect—it primarily shapes how federal agencies work internationally to combat trafficking and monitor other countries' progress on this issue.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 7, 2025)
Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025
This bill reauthorizes programs and activities that combat international trafficking; establishes a new program to help victims of trafficking; and updates various elements of the federal framework to combat international trafficking.
Specifically, this bill reauthorizes through FY2029 programs and activities at various federal departments and agencies to combat international trafficking and reduce the prevalence of modern slavery. The bill also reauthorizes International Megan’s Law through FY2029. Among its provisions, the law requires sex offenders to provide certain information about their intended travel outside of the United States.
Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out a new program to help victims of trafficking integrate or reintegrate into society.
The bill requires the Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report to include information about trafficking in persons for the purposes of organ removal.
With respect to country rankings for anti-trafficking efforts, the bill narrows the types of countries that are listed on the Tier 2 Watch List and increases the length of time a country may remain on the Tier 2 Watch List after being downgraded to the lowest ranking and then reinstated to the watch list. (The Tier 2 Watch List refers to countries that are making efforts to meet international standards for combatting human trafficking but still have a significant number of severe trafficking cases.)
Finally, the bill requires counter-trafficking strategies, activities, and efforts to be further incorporated into U.S. foreign assistance.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1144
A BILL
Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ-4) · Introduced Feb 7, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 22, 2025: “Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.”
Sections
Title I — Combating Trafficking in Persons in the United States · 2
Title II — Fighting Human Trafficking Abroad · 8
- Sec. 201Modifications to program to end modern slavery grantsNo change
- Sec. 202Amendments to tier standardsNo change
- Sec. 203Counter-trafficking in persons efforts in development cooperation and assistance policyNo change
- Sec. 204Clarification of nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related foreign assistanceNo change
- Sec. 205Trafficking for the purposes of organ harvestingNo change
- Sec. 206Elimination of duplicative reportingNo change
- Sec. 207Effective datesNo change
- Sec. 208Printed version of the annual tip reportNo change