H.R. 1144 explained  ·  119th Congress  ·  Pending in Congress

Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025

Create a free account or sign in to follow H.R. 1144 and get alerts. Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement Create a free account or sign in to follow the Crime and Law Enforcement policy area and get alerts. ▲ 455 days since action Sponsor: Christopher H. Smith, NJ-04, R → Congress.gov

Cosponsors: 25 (12 D, 13 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-11

Introduced: 2025-02-07

Latest action (2025-07-22): Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

What H.R. 1144 does, in plain terms

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.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.

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