Washington, D.C. – Today, the Ways and Means Committee released draft legislation to prevent and address sex trafficking of youth in foster care.  This legislation would also improve the lives of youth in foster care by ensuring they have more normal teen opportunities and experiences, while also providing them with more tools they need to become successful adults.  The draft legislation was developed based on testimony received at two Human Resources Subcommittee hearings earlier this year, as well as other legislation introduced by Republican and Democrat Members of Congress.  A detailed summary of the draft legislation can also be found at www.waysandmeans.house.gov/PreventTrafficking.

The draft legislation would:

1. Require states to develop procedures for identifying victims of child sex trafficking and for determining the appropriate services for the child;
2. Improve data on child sex trafficking and children living in group homes who are the most at risk of being trafficked;
3. Help youth in foster care lead more normal lives to deter sex trafficking;
4. Ensure states do more to quickly move kids out of foster care; and
5. Help youth in foster care better prepare for a successful adulthood.

The public is encouraged to submit comments on the draft legislation by no later than January 17, 2014.  Comments may be submitted by email at PreventTrafficking@mail.house.gov.