Tampa Republic

Washington, D.C. – On April 13, 2023 , Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL) introduced the National Human Trafficking Hotline Enhancement Act alongside Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL). This legislation would require entities that contract with the National Human Trafficking Hotline to cooperate with state and local law enforcement when receiving tips through the Hotline.

You can read the full text of the bill here.

“Since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline and its operator, Polaris, have worked together with state and local law enforcement to end human trafficking. But recently, Polaris has not communicated tips to law enforcement officials unless victims self-report. In order for the Hotline to operate effectively, there cannot be a divide between their efforts and those of law enforcement,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “That is why I am proud to introduce the “National Human Trafficking Enhancement Act,” which would require any non-governmental organization that receives federal taxpayer dollars to operate the Hotline to notify law enforcement agencies of information communicated through the Hotline.”

36 attorneys general, including Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, recently contacted House and Senate Leadership to express outrage that the Hotline is not reporting human trafficking tips to law enforcement unless the victim self-reports. This disrupts the federal-state partnership to end human trafficking.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Earlier this year, I called on Congress to take swift action to ensure the National Human Trafficking Hotline cooperates with law enforcement—AS INTENDED! I am grateful Congresswoman Lee quickly answered this call and is pushing legislation to help ensure law enforcement rapidly communicates tips about suspicious activity so we can stop trafficking and save lives.”

Background:

The Hotline has provided more than 15,000 tips to law enforcement since its inception in 2007, but it was recently reported that many tips are not being reported to law enforcement. The National Human Trafficking Hotline Enhancement Act would amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, section 107(b)(1)(B)(ii), to require entities that contract with the National Human Trafficking Hotline to cooperate with state law enforcement entities when receiving tips via the Hotline. 

Original source can be found here.