McCaul, Jackson Lee Reintroduce Legislation to Combat Child Trafficking
WASHINGTON – This week, during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, U.S. Representatives Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) reintroduced the Stop Human Trafficking in School Zones Act, legislation to increase penalties for human trafficking offenses involving children.
“While human trafficking is a global enterprise, it is also a horrific reality in communities across America — and school-aged children are particularly vulnerable. An estimated 80,000 minors are currently being trafficked in Texas alone, with many cases originating at school,” said Rep. McCaul. “Schools should be safe places, where kids can learn and play freely. As a father of five, I’m proud to introduce this bill to increase penalties for those who dare to commit such a disgusting crime.”
“It is the responsibility of lawmakers in Washington to work diligently to address the epidemic that is human trafficking,” said Congresswoman Jackson Lee. “I proposed this bill in the name of the thousands of victims, especially those who are underage, who have been exploited by traffickers, and whose futures are now stained with trauma. I hope that the Stop Human Trafficking in School Zones Act, will end the targeting of students by predators.”
Background:
Reps. McCaul and Jackson Lee first introduced the Stop Human Trafficking in School Zones Act last year, during the 117th Congress.
The bill establishes an enhanced penalty — an additional five years of prison time — for certain human trafficking offenses that occur in a school zone or within 1,000 feet of school-sponsored activity.
Rep. McCaul has led the charge to combat human trafficking for many years. His legislative efforts include:
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Blue Campaign Authorization Act, which became law in 2018, authorizing DHS’s Blue Campaign and providing the right tools to federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as private sector organizations to increase awareness and better defend against human trafficking; and
- The LIFT Act, which would combat human trafficking by facilitating information sharing and keeping survivors at the center of the policy conversation.
Read full text of the Stop Human Trafficking in School Zones Act here.
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