Legislation Helps Combat Human Trafficking

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, applauded House passage of the International Megan's Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking (H.R. 4573), introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ).  The legislation, which passed the Committee earlier this month, protects children from sex trafficking by providing foreign governments with advance notice of intended travel by registered child-sex offenders.  The legislation also requests foreign governments notify the U.S. when a known child-sex offender is seeking to enter the U.S.

On the legislation’s passage, Chairman Royce said:  “The horrific child-sex tourism industry has become a growing operation overseas.  An increasingly mobile society has made it easier for child predators to commit and evade justice for their heinous crimes.  Today’s legislation provides the needed tools, specifically time-sensitive travel data, to help combat this appalling abuse of children.”

Video of Chairman Royce speaking on the House floor in support of H.R. 4573 is available HERE. 

NOTE:  Last year, Chairman Royce held a number of hearings on human trafficking, including a field hearing to examine international human trafficking and to assess efforts to combat trafficking at the international, Federal, State and local levels.  He also launched a Human Trafficking Congressional Advisory Committee (HTCAC) to address human trafficking concerns, as well as offer policy recommendations; the HTCAC is comprised of victims’ rights groups, local and federal law enforcement agencies, and community advocates. 

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