S. 2647: International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill, titled the International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025, aims to renew and enhance existing efforts to combat human trafficking both domestically and internationally. Below are the primary functions and intentions of the bill presented in various sections:

1. Combating Human Trafficking Abroad

The bill outlines several measures to support international initiatives against human trafficking, including:

• Integration of Anti-Trafficking Strategies: The Secretary of the Treasury, with input from the Secretary of State, will instruct U.S. representatives in multilateral development banks to support and integrate anti-trafficking strategies into their projects in countries that are either on the Tier 2 Watch List or classified as Tier 3.
• Counter-Trafficking in Development Policy: Amendments will be made to U.S. development policies to effectively address counter-trafficking efforts within those programs.
• Technical Amendments to Tier Rankings: The bill seeks to revise how countries are categorized based on their efforts to combat trafficking and will enhance reporting on these statuses.
• Modifying Programs to End Modern Slavery: The existing Program to End Modern Slavery will be updated, extending its authorization and increasing its focus on effective practices.
• Support for Domestic Workers: Protections for domestic workers, especially those working for foreign officials and diplomats, will be expanded, including the development of a national registration program to educate these workers about their rights.

2. Authorization of Appropriations

The bill authorizes funding for programs under existing trafficking and violence prevention acts. Key provisions include:

• Funding Extensions: It extends the funding authorization period for various anti-trafficking programs, increasing total allocations significantly for funding periods up to 2030.
• Utilization of Funds for Modern Slavery Programs: A specific portion of these funds will be allocated to programs directly aimed at ending modern slavery.

3. Requirement for Briefings

The bill mandates regular briefings to Congress on various aspects of trafficking and preventive efforts, which includes:

• Annual Trafficking Reports: After the Trafficking in Persons Report is published, the Secretary of State must update Congress on countries that have been upgraded or downgraded in their tier status as a result of anti-trafficking efforts.
• Waiver Justifications: The Secretary must brief Congress on countries receiving waivers from penalties for non-compliance with minimum standards against trafficking, including the justification for each waiver and efforts being made by the countries to improve.

4. Expanded Protections and Implementation Measures

The legislation includes provisions to ensure that:

• Assistance Provisions: Any nonhumanitarian, non-trade related aid will be subject to conditions contingent upon a country’s compliance with anti-trafficking standards.
• U.S. Policy Adjustments: The bill emphasizes incorporating anti-trafficking measures into foreign assistance programs and ensuring they do not contribute to situations that could exacerbate trafficking.

5. Effective Dates

The bill defines when various sections would come into effect, primarily aligning with the reporting periods for ongoing trafficking assessments.

Relevant Companies

• None found