What This Bill Does
This bill creates two new programs within Homeland Security Investigations to help people exposed to human trafficking. One program trains investigators who work with trafficking victims to recognize and manage trauma they experience on the job. The other program puts victim specialists in offices to help trafficking victims during investigations.
Who It Affects
• Homeland Security Investigations employees who work with human trafficking victims
• First-line supervisors of those employees
• Human trafficking victims receiving assistance during investigations
• The Department of Homeland Security
Key Provisions
• The IMPACTT Program provides outreach and training to investigators on recognizing signs of burnout, compassion fatigue, critical incident stress, traumatic stress, posttraumatic stress, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma (meaning stress from indirect exposure to trauma) (Sec. 2(b)(1))
• The IMPACTT Program trains supervisors to recognize trauma signs in their employees and respond appropriately (Sec. 2(b)(1)(C))
• Licensed clinicians who have training in trauma conduct the IMPACTT Program training modules (Sec. 2(b)(2)(A))
• The Victim Assistance Program must recruit at least one forensic interview specialist (an interviewer trained in trauma-informed interviews) and one victim assistance specialist for each Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge office (Sec. 3(c)(2)(A))
• The Victim Assistance Program can purchase emergency items like food, clothing, hygiene products, transportation, and temporary shelter for trafficking victims (Sec. 3(c)(5))
What Changes
The bill establishes two new programs within Homeland Security Investigations focused on supporting investigators and trafficking victims. These programs did not exist before this law.
Important Definitions
• Forensic interview specialist: an interview professional with specialized experience and training in conducting trauma-informed interviews with crime victims (Sec. 3)
• Victim assistance specialist: a professional who has worked with crime victims, received training on various forms of trauma, and may have experience with local government and community organizations (Sec. 3)
• Victim: has the meaning given in section 503(e)(2) of the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (Sec. 3)
Effective Date
The bill became effective on October 1, 2024, but expires and stops applying on October 1, 2030 (Sec. 6).
[118th Congress Public Law 96]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [[Page 138 STAT. 1569]] Public Law 118-96
118th Congress An Act To improve services for trafficking victims by establishing, in Homeland Security Investigations, the Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma Program and the Victim Assistance Program. <<NOTE: Oct. 1, 2024 - [S. 670]>> Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act.>> SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 6 USC 101 note.>> SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act''.
SEC. 2. <<NOTE: 6 USC 258 note.>> INVESTIGATORS MAINTAIN PURPOSEFUL AWARENESS TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING TRAUMA PROGRAM. (a) Establishment.--There is established, in Homeland Security Investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma Program (referred to in this Act as the ``IMPACTT Program''). (b) Functions.--The IMPACTT Program shall-- (1) provide outreach and training to Homeland Security Investigations employees who have been exposed to various forms of trauma in working with victims of human trafficking, including-- (A) self-awareness training for the relevant employees on recognizing the signs of burnout, compassion fatigue, critical incident stress, traumatic stress, posttraumatic stress, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma; (B) training material that-- (i) provides mechanisms for self-care and resilience and notification of resources that are available through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, such as the Employee Assistance Program, the Peer Support Program, the Chaplain Program, and other relevant accredited programs that are available; and (ii) provides examples of potential resources that are available outside of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which may include, faith- based and community-based resources; and (C) provide additional training to first line supervisors of relevant employees on recognizing the signs referred to in subparagraph (A) and the appropriate responses to employees exhibiting such signs; (2) include training modules that are carried out by-- (A) licensed and accredited clinicians who-- [[Page 138 STAT. 1570]] (i) have been trained on the exposure of various forms of trauma and other stressors experienced in working with victims; and (ii) may have experience working with faith- based organizations, community-based organizations, counseling programs, or other social service programs; and (B) additional subject matter experts who are available; and (3) be overseen and coordinated by the Department of Homeland Security Center for Countering Human Trafficking to ensure that-- (A) appropriate program materials are distributed; (B) training is offered to all relevant employees; and (C) any needed travel and equipment is provided.
SEC. 3. HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) In General.--Subtitle D of title IV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 447. <<NOTE: 6 USC 258 note.>> HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Forensic interview specialist.--The term `forensic interview specialist' is an interview professional who has specialized experience and training in conducting trauma- informed forensic interviews with victims of crime. ``(2) Victim.--The term `victim' has the meaning given such term in section 503(e)(2) of the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 20141(e)(2)). ``(3) Victim assistance specialist.--The term `victim assistance specialist' is a victim assistance professional who-- ``(A) has experience working with victims of crime in a service capacity; ``(B) has been trained on the exposure of various forms of trauma and other stressors experienced in working with victims; and ``(C) may have experience working with local government and community-based organizations, including victim advocacy centers, child advocacy centers, child welfare agencies, faith-based organizations, and other social service programs. ``(b) In General.--There is established, in Homeland Security Investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Victim Assistance Program. ``(c) Functions.--The Victim Assistance Program shall-- ``(1) provide oversight, guidance, training, travel, equipment, and coordination to Homeland Security Investigations victim assistance personnel throughout the United States; ``(2) recruit not fewer than-- ``(A) 1 forensic interview specialist and 1 victim assistance specialist for each Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge office; ``(B) 1 victim assistance specialist for-- ``(i) every Homeland Security Investigations office participating in a human trafficking task force; and [[Page 138 STAT. 1571]] ``(ii) every Homeland Security Investigations office participating in a child sexual exploitation task force; ``(3) support Homeland Security Investigations regional attache offices, to the extent necessary; ``(4) provide training regarding victims' rights, victim- related policies, roles of forensic interviewers and victim assistance specialists, and an approach that is-- ``(A) victim-centered; ``(B) trauma-informed; and ``(C) linguistically appropriate, to the extent feasible; and ``(5) purchase emergency items that are needed to assist identified victims in Homeland Security Investigations criminal investigations, including food, clothing, hygiene products, transportation, and temporary shelter that is not otherwise provided by a nongovernmental organization.''. (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) is amended-- (1) in section 1(b) (6 U.S.C. 101 note)-- (A) by striking the item relating to section 442 and inserting the following: ``Sec. 442. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.''; and (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 446 the following: ``Sec. 447. Homeland Security Investigations Victim Assistance Program.''; (2) in section 442-- <<NOTE: 6 USC 252.>> (A) by amending the section heading to read as follows: ``u.s. immigration and customs enforcement''; (B) by striking ``bureau'' each place such term appears (except in subsection (a)(1)) and inserting ``agency''; (C) by striking ``the Bureau of Border Security'' each place such term appears and inserting ``U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement''; (D) in subsection (a)-- (i) in the subsection heading, by striking ``of Bureau''; (ii) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ``affecting the Bureau of'' and inserting ``affecting U.S.''; and (iii) in paragraph (4), by striking ``the Bureau.'' and inserting ``the agency.''; and (E) in subsection (b)(2)-- (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``Bureau of Border Security'' and inserting ``U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement''; and (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``the Bureau of'' before ``Citizenship and Immigration Services'' and inserting ``U.S.''; and (3) in section 443(2), <<NOTE: 6 USC 253.>> by striking ``such bureau'' and inserting ``such agency''.
SEC. 4. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report to Congress that identifies, with respect to the reporting period-- [[Page 138 STAT. 1572]] (1) the number of trainings that were provided through the IMPACTT Program and the number of personnel who received such training; and (2) the number of human trafficking victims who were assisted by the Homeland Security Investigations Victim Assistance Program.
SEC. 5. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS. No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this Act.
SEC. 6. <<NOTE: 6 USC 252 note.>> SUNSET. This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall cease to have force or effect beginning on October 1, 2030. Approved October 1, 2024. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 670:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- SENATE REPORTS: No. 118-17 (Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: Vol. 169 (2023): Nov. 8, considered and passed Senate. Vol. 170 (2024): Sept. 23, considered and passed House. <all>