Beatty's Anti-Human Trafficking Bill Passes House

Press Release

Today, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) to combat child sex trafficking passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 411-0. During consideration of her legislation which would improve the response to victims of child sex trafficking, H.R. 246, Rep. Beatty managed the House Floor.

"Today, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to help bring an end to human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation," said Rep. Beatty. "My legislation will clarify that children who are sex trafficked or sexually exploited are treated as victims and not criminals under the law. I will continue working to stop these heinous practices and support child sex trafficking victims. Ending this practice starts with all of us--if you see something, say something."

A long-time advocate in combatting human trafficking, Rep. Beatty's legislation would reduce the instances and impacts of child sex trafficking by de-criminalizing the behavior of child sex trafficking victims and making it easier for people to report potential instances to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tipline. Rep. Beatty successful passed the same legislation, H.R. 5111, in the 113th Congress. This is the first bill sponsored by Rep. Beatty to pass the 114th Congress.

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