Diaz-Balart: We All Have a Responsibility to Protect Victims of Human Trafficking
WASHINGTON – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement after the passage of a series of five bills that combat human trafficking.
"Human trafficking is an increasing problem here in the United States and abroad. As a cosponsor of four of the bills passed today, I am committed to ending this terrible plague and am encouraged by the support they received in the House. Last week, I had the opportunity to host a summit in Naples, inviting members of the Southern Florida community to learn from local experts about the effects that this egregious crime has on our state. We all have a responsibility to raise awareness on this issue and do our best to protect victims of human trafficking. I will continue to do everything in my power to protect the most vulnerable members of our society."
The following bills were passed in the House today to combat human trafficking:
H.R. 3530, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act: Boosts support and protection for domestic human trafficking victims.
H.R. 3610, the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act: Provides incentives to states to adopt safe harbor laws that treat trafficked minors as victims, rather than as criminals or delinquents.
H.R. 4225, the Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation (SAVE) Act: Criminalizes those who knowingly advertise for the commercial exploitation of minors and trafficking victims.
H.R. 4058, the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Improving Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care Act: Requires States to take steps to prevent, identify, and address sex trafficking of youth in foster care.
H.R. 4573, the International Megan's Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking: Requires the Department of Homeland Security to undertake reasonable efforts to notify child-sex offenders whose impending travel has been noticed to their country or countries of destination.