Today, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-NY) released the following statements after introducing their bipartisan bill to renew authorization for the Public-Private Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking, an entity that provides a direct line to federal government agencies that will streamline unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles by empowering nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations in the fight against human trafficking.

“Human trafficking is a terrible scourge and we must all work together to defeat it,” said Curtis. “Last Congress, the President signed my bill into law creating the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking which brought the Federal government and prevention and rehabilitation experts together. Organizations like Utah’s Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) have led the way in fighting human trafficking and offer invaluable expertise to the Council. To ensure the critical work of this advisory council continues, I’ve introduced the Human Trafficking Council Extension Act to reauthorize the Council and give its members additional time to meet and recommend best practices to help put an end to human trafficking.”

"Human trafficking remains a far too common tragedy in our country. I am proud to join my colleague, Representative Curtis, to introduce this legislation in support of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking,” said Scanlon. “We must use every resource at our disposal to prevent this horrific crime, and protect survivors.”

Statement of Support

Tim Ballard, Founder of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) and Current Co-Chair of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking:

“I applaud Congressman Curtis’ continued efforts to combat human trafficking and exploitation in the United States and abroad. His legislation will allow the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking to continue our important work of informing and advising the Federal government’s response to and prevention of human trafficking—including some of the most horrendous forms of child exploitation,” said Tim Ballard. “This council of experts and representatives of non-profit organizations was created by Congress and appointed by the President to provide guidance to Federal agencies on the best practices for preventing human trafficking and for providing the very best treatment and care for human trafficking survivors.” 

Background

Congressman Curtis’ bill to establish the Advisory Council was signed into law in December 2018. Click HERE to read more. This legislation will reauthorize the council. Companion legislation was introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) last week. 

The Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council helps fight human trafficking by:

• Serving as a point of contact for Federal agencies in coordination with nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) fighting human trafficking for input on programming and policies related to their efforts.
• Consisting of eight to fourteen representatives from NGOs and nonprofit groups that have significant knowledge and experience in fighting human trafficking, or the rehabilitation and aftercare of human trafficking victims and survivors.
• Formulating assessments and recommendations to ensure that the policy and programming efforts of the Federal government conform to the best practices in the field of combatting human trafficking, and the rehabilitation and aftercare of victims.
• Submitting a report to Congressional Committees with recommendations for continued improvement.

Text of the bill is available HERE.

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