H.R. 7311 increases penalties against traffickers, expands protections for trafficking victims and their families, requires the Department of Justice to develop a new model state-level law focusing on a more comprehensive approach to investigating and prosecuting human trafficking, authorizes increased assistance for all victims of trafficking including U.S. citizens, ensures that countries do not “park” on the State Department’s Tier II Watch List, and establishes a Presidential award for extraordinary anti-trafficking efforts.

“The House and Senate have again shown our commitment to ending this form of modern-day slavery by passing this important legislation,” Maloney said.  “I want to commend Chairman Berman, Chairman Conyers, Chairman Bobby Scott, Vice-President-elect Biden, Senator Brownback, my colleagues in the Human Trafficking Caucus, their staffs, and the anti-trafficking coalition for their support and their heartfelt commitment to this issue.” 

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BACKGROUND: Congresswoman Maloney is an original cosponsor of H.R. 3887, the “William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act,” which passed the House overwhelmingly in December 2007.  She has worked to combat sex trafficking internationally, nationally, and in her New York City district for the past seven years.  Maloney urged state and federal prosecutors to investigate Queens-based Big Apple Oriental Tours and other sex tour operators for criminal violations.  She is a strong supporter of federal legislation to strengthen the ability of the government to prosecute sex tour operators.

In 2006, a landmark law to make the United States a leader in combating the worldwide affliction of sex trafficking was enacted.  That law incorporated key provisions of the “End Demand for Sex Trafficking Act” championed by Maloney and Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH).