Department of Transportation human trafficking prevention grants

(a) Grants for transit operators and airports (1) Grants authorized The Secretary shall establish, within the Office of the Secretary, a grant program that awards grants to multi-modal transportation stakeholders to address human trafficking awareness, education, and prevention efforts. (2) In general Of the amounts appropriated for grants under this section for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve $10,000,000 for grants to entities described in paragraph (3)(A), which grant funds shall be expended to address human trafficking awareness, education, and prevention efforts, including by— (A) coordinating human trafficking prevention efforts across multimodal transportation operations within a community; and (B) accomplishing the best practices and recommendations provided by the Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking. (3) Distribution (A) Eligible entities The Secretary may award grant funds reserved pursuant to paragraph (2) to— (i) nonprofit organizations that combat human trafficking through transportation stakeholders; (ii) transit operators; (iii) passenger rail operators; (iv) airport authorities; (v) maritime and port operators, including cruise lines; (vi) commercial motor vehicle operators; (vii) rideshare, taxi and limousine operators; and (viii) any other entities deemed appropriate by the Secretary. (B) Priority; considerations In awarding grant funds reserved pursuant to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall— (i) give priority in grant amounts to entities referred to in subparagraph (A) that serve regions with a higher prevalence of human trafficking; and (ii) take into consideration the effect the use of such grants would have on surrounding areas. (C) Consultation In awarding grant funds reserved pursuant to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall consult with the Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking to determine the amounts to be distributed to each recipient to ensure the best use of such funds. (b) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated, for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2031, $10,000,000, which shall be used to carry out the grant program authorized under subsection (a).