United States Code
USC most recently checked for updates: Jun 09, 2025
§ 20701.
Prevention of domestic trafficking in persons
(a)
Program to reduce trafficking in persons and demand for commercial sex acts in the United States
(1)
Comprehensive research and statistical review and analysis of incidents of trafficking in persons and commercial sex acts
(A)
In general
The Attorney General shall use available data from State and local authorities as well as research data to carry out a biennial comprehensive research and statistical review and analysis of severe forms of trafficking in persons, and a biennial comprehensive research and statistical review and analysis of sex trafficking and unlawful commercial sex acts in the United States, and shall submit to Congress separate biennial reports on the findings.
(B)
Contents
The research and statistical review and analysis under this paragraph shall consist of two separate studies, utilizing the same statistical data where appropriate, as follows:
(i)
The first study shall address severe forms of trafficking in persons in the United States and shall include, but need not be limited to—
(I)
the estimated number and demographic characteristics of persons engaged in acts of severe forms of trafficking in persons; and
(II)
the number of investigations, arrests, prosecutions, and incarcerations of persons engaged in acts of severe forms of trafficking in persons by States and their political subdivisions.
(ii)
The second study shall address sex trafficking and unlawful commercial sex acts in the United States and shall include, but need not be limited to—
(I)
the estimated number and demographic characteristics of persons engaged in sex trafficking and commercial sex acts, including purchasers of commercial sex acts;
(II)
the estimated value in dollars of the commercial sex economy, including the estimated average annual personal income derived from acts of sex trafficking;
(III)
the number of investigations, arrests, prosecutions, and incarcerations of persons engaged in sex trafficking and unlawful commercial sex acts, including purchasers of commercial sex acts, by States and their political subdivisions; and
(IV)
a description of the differences in the enforcement of laws relating to unlawful commercial sex acts across the United States.
(2)
Trafficking conference
(A)
In general
The Attorney General, in consultation and cooperation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall conduct an annual conference in each of the fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008, and thereafter conduct a biennial conference, addressing severe forms of trafficking in persons and commercial sex acts that occur, in whole or in part, within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States. At each such conference, the Attorney General, or his designee, shall—
(i)
announce and evaluate the findings contained in the research and statistical reviews carried out under paragraph (1);
(ii)
disseminate best methods and practices for enforcement of laws prohibiting acts of severe forms of trafficking in persons and other laws related to acts of trafficking in persons, including, but not limited to, best methods and practices for training State and local law enforcement personnel on the enforcement of such laws;
(iii)
disseminate best methods and practices for training State and local law enforcement personnel on the enforcement of laws prohibiting sex trafficking and commercial sex acts, including, but not limited to, best methods for investigating and prosecuting exploiters and persons who solicit or purchase an unlawful commercial sex act; and
(iv)
disseminate best methods and practices for training State and local law enforcement personnel on collaborating with social service providers and relevant nongovernmental organizations and establishing trust of persons subjected to commercial sex acts or severe forms of trafficking in persons.
(B)
Participation
Each annual conference conducted under this paragraph shall involve the participation of persons with expertise or professional responsibilities with relevance to trafficking in persons, including, but not limited to—
(i)
Federal Government officials, including law enforcement and prosecutorial officials;
(ii)
State and local government officials, including law enforcement and prosecutorial officials;
(iii)
persons who have been subjected to severe forms of trafficking in persons or commercial sex acts;
(iv)
medical personnel;
(v)
social service providers and relevant nongovernmental organizations; and
(vi)
academic experts.
(C)
Reports
The Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall prepare and post on the respective Internet Web sites of the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services reports on the findings and best practices identified and disseminated at the conference described in this paragraph.
(b)
Omitted
(c)
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated—
(1)
$1,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011 to carry out the activities described in subsection (a)(1)(B)(i) and $1,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011 to carry out the activities described in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii); and
(2)
$250,000 for each of the fiscal years 2014 through 2021 to carry out the activities described in subsection (a)(2).
(Pub. L. 109–164, title II, § 201, Jan. 10, 2006 , 119 Stat. 3567; Pub. L. 110–457, title III, § 302(2), Dec. 23, 2008 , 122 Stat. 5087; Pub. L. 113–4, title XII, § 1252(2), Mar. 7, 2013 , 127 Stat. 156; Pub. L. 115–393, title III, § 301(b), Dec. 21, 2018 , 132 Stat. 5272.)
cite as: 34 USC 20701
