US Codex
Pub. L.
Notes

Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017

115th Congress · Approved Dec 21, 2018 · 132 Stat. 5250

An Act

To provide assistance in abolishing human trafficking in the United States.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa­tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short Title; Table of Contents.

(a)
Short Title.— This Act may be cited as the “Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017”.
(b)
Table of Contents.— The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Preserving Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund.

Sec. 3. Mandatory restitution for victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

Sec. 4. Victim-witness assistance in sexual exploitation cases.

Sec. 5. Victim protection training for the Department of Homeland Security.

Sec. 6. Direct services for child victims of human trafficking.

Sec. 7. Holistic training for Federal law enforcement officers and prosecutors.

Sec. 8. Best practices in delivering justice for victims of trafficking.

Sec. 9. Improving the national strategy to combat human trafficking.

Sec. 10. Specialized human trafficking training and technical assistance for service providers.

Sec. 11. Enhanced penalties for human trafficking, child exploitation, and repeat offenders.

Sec. 12. Targeting organized human trafficking perpetrators.

Sec. 13. Investigating complex human trafficking networks.

Sec. 14. Combating sex tourism.

Sec. 15. Human Trafficking Justice Coordinators.

Sec. 16. Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking.

Sec. 17. Additional reporting on crime.

Sec. 18. Strengthening the national human trafficking hotline.

Sec. 19. Ending Government partnerships with the commercial sex industry.

Sec. 20. Understanding the effects of severe forms of trafficking in persons.

Sec. 21. Combating trafficking in persons.

Sec. 22. Grant accountability.

Sec. 23. HERO Act improvements.

SEC. 2. Preserving Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund.

(a)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that the Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund established under section 3014 of title 18, United States Code—
(1)
is intended to supplement, and not supplant, any other funding for domestic trafficking victims; and
(2)
has achieved the objective described in paragraph (1) since the establishment of the Fund.
(b)
Ensuring Full Funding.— Section 3014 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “ September 30, 2019” and inserting “ September 30, 2021”;
(2)
in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “ 2019” and inserting “ 2023”;
(3)
in subsection (f), by inserting “ , including the mandatory imposition of civil remedies for satisfaction of an unpaid fine as authorized under section 3613, where appropriate” after “ criminal cases”; and
(4)
in subsection (h)(3), by inserting “ and child victims of a severe form of trafficking (as defined in section 103 of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102))” after “ child pornography victims”.

SEC. 3. Mandatory Restitution for Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

(a)
Amendment.— Chapter 117 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

Ҥ 2429. Mandatory restitution

“(a) Notwithstanding section 3663 or 3663A, and in addition to any other civil or criminal penalty authorized by law, the court shall order restitution for any offense under this chapter.

“(b)

(1) The order of restitution under this section shall direct the defendant to pay the victim (through the appropriate court mechanism) the full amount of the victim’s losses, as determined by the court under paragraph (3), and shall additionally require the defendant to pay the greater of the gross income or value to the defendant of the victim’s services, if the services constitute commercial sex acts as defined under section 1591.

“(2) An order of restitution under this section shall be issued and enforced in accordance with section 3664 in the same manner as an order under section 3663A.

“(3) As used in this subsection, the term ‘full amount of the victim’s losses’ has the same meaning as provided in section 2259(b)(3).

“(c) The forfeiture of property under this section shall be governed by the provisions of section 413 (other than subsection (d) of such section) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 853).

“(d) As used in this section, the term ‘victim’ means the individual harmed as a result of a crime under this chapter, including, in the case of a victim who is under 18 years of age, incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, the legal guardian of the victim or a representative of the victim’s estate, or another family member, or any other person appointed as suitable by the court, but in no event shall the defendant be named such representative or guardian.”

(b)
Table of Sections.— The table of sections for chapter 117 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2428 the following:

“2429. Mandatory restitution.”.

SEC. 4. Victim-Witness Assistance in Sexual Exploitation Cases.

(a)
Availability of DOJ Appropriations.— Section 524(c)(1)(B) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting “ , chapter 110 of title 18” after “ chapter 77 of title 18”.
(b)
Amendment to Title 31.— Section 9705(a)(2)(B)(v) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting “ , chapter 109A of title 18 (relating to sexual abuse), chapter 110 of title 18 (relating to child sexual exploitation), or chapter 117 of title 18 (relating to transportation for illegal sexual activity and related crimes)” after “ (relating to human trafficking)”.

SEC. 5. Victim Protection Training for the Department of Homeland Security.

(a)
In General.— Title IX of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (6 U.S.C. 641 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 906. VICTIM PROTECTION TRAINING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

“(a) Directive to DHS Law Enforcement Officials and Task Forces.—

“(1) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a directive to—

“(A) all Federal law enforcement officers and relevant personnel employed by the Department who may be involved in the investigation of human trafficking offenses; and

“(B) members of all task forces led by the Department that participate in the investigation of human trafficking offenses.

“(2) Required instructions.—The directive required to be issued under paragraph (1) shall include instructions on—

“(A) the investigation of individuals who patronize or solicit human trafficking victims as being engaged in severe trafficking in persons and how such individuals should be investigated for their roles in severe trafficking in persons; and

“(B) how victims of sex or labor trafficking often engage in criminal acts as a direct result of severe trafficking in persons and such individuals are victims of a crime and affirmative measures should be taken to avoid arresting, charging, or prosecuting such individuals for any offense that is the direct result of their victimization.

“(b) Victim Screening Protocol.—

“(1) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a screening protocol for use during all anti-trafficking law enforcement operations in which the Department is involved.

“(2) Requirements.—The protocol required to be issued under paragraph (1) shall—

“(A) require the individual screening of all adults and children who are suspected of engaging in commercial sex acts, child labor that is a violation of law, or work in violation of labor standards to determine whether each individual screened is a victim of human trafficking;

“(B) require affirmative measures to avoid arresting, charging, or prosecuting human trafficking victims for any offense that is the direct result of their victimization;

“(C) be developed in consultation with relevant interagency partners and nongovernmental organizations that specialize in the prevention of human trafficking or in the identification and support of victims of human trafficking and survivors of human trafficking; and

“(D) include—

“(i) procedures and practices to ensure that the screening process minimizes trauma or revictimization of the person being screened; and

“(ii) guidelines on assisting victims of human trafficking in identifying and receiving restorative services.

“(c) Mandatory Training.—The training described in sections 902 and 904 shall include training necessary to implement—

“(1) the directive required under subsection (a); and

“(2) the protocol required under subsection (b).”

(b)
Table of Contents Amendment.— The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–22; 129 Stat. 227) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 905 the following:

“Sec. 906. Victim protection training for the Department of Homeland Security.”.

SEC. 6. Direct Services for Child Victims of Human Trafficking.

Section 214(b) of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 20304(b)) is amended—
(1)
in the heading by inserting “ Child Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking in Persons and” before “ Victims of Child Pornography”; and
(2)
by inserting “ victims of a severe form of trafficking (as defined in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(9)(A))) who were under the age of 18 at the time of the offense and” before “ victims of child pornography”.

SEC. 7. Holistic Training for Federal Law Enforcement Officers and Prosecutors.

All training required under the Combat Human Trafficking Act of 2015 (34 U.S.C. 20709) and section 105(c)(4) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7105(c)(4)) shall—
(1)
emphasize that an individual who knowingly solicits or patronizes a commercial sex act from a person who was a minor (consistent with section 1591(c) of title 18, United States Code) or was subject to force, fraud, or coercion is guilty of an offense under chapter 77 of title 18, United States Code, and is a party to a human trafficking offense;
(2)
develop specific curriculum for—
(A)
under appropriate circumstances, arresting and prosecuting buyers of commercial sex, child labor that is a violation of law, or forced labor as a form of primary prevention; and
(B)
investigating and prosecuting individuals who knowingly benefit financially from participation in a venture that has engaged in any act of human trafficking; and
(3)
specify that any comprehensive approach to eliminating human trafficking shall include a demand reduction component.

SEC. 8. Best Practices in Delivering Justice for Victims of Trafficking.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall issue guidance to all offices and components of the Department of Justice—
(1)
emphasizing that an individual who knowingly solicits or patronizes a commercial sex act from a person who was a minor (consistent with section 1591(c) of title 18, United States Code) or was subject to force, fraud, or coercion is guilty of an offense under chapter 77 of title 18, United States Code, and is a party to a severe form of trafficking in persons, as that term is defined in section 103(9) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(9));
(2)
recommending and implementing best practices for the collection of special assessments under section 3014 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 101 of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–22; 129 Stat. 228), including a directive that civil liens are an authorized collection method and remedy under section 3613 of title 18, United States Code; and
(3)
clarifying that commercial sexual exploitation is a form of gender-based violence.

SEC. 9. Improving the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.

Section 606(b) of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (34 U.S.C. 20711(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(6) A national strategy to prevent human trafficking and reduce demand for human trafficking victims.”

SEC. 10. Specialized Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance for Service Providers.

(a)
In General.— Section 111 of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20708) is amended—
(1)
in the heading, by striking “ law enforcement training programs” and inserting “ specialized human trafficking training and technical assistance for service providers”;
(2)
in subsection (a)(2), by striking “ means a State or a local government.” and inserting the following:

“(A) a State or unit of local government;

“(B) a federally recognized Indian tribal government, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior;

“(C) a victim service provider;

“(D) a nonprofit or for-profit organization (including a tribal nonprofit or for-profit organization);

“(E) a national organization; or

“(F) an institution of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education).”

(3)
by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:

“(b) Grants Authorized.—The Attorney General may award grants to eligible entities to—

“(1) provide training to identify and protect victims of trafficking;

“(2) improve the quality and quantity of services offered to trafficking survivors; and

“(3) improve victim service providers’ partnerships with Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies and other relevant entities.”

; and

(4)
in subsection (c)—
(A)
in paragraph (2), by striking “ or” at the end;
(B)
in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C)
by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

“(4) provide technical assistance on the range of services available to victim service providers who serve trafficking victims;

“(5) develop and distribute materials, including materials identifying best practices in accordance with Federal law and policies, to support victim service providers working with human trafficking victims;

“(6) identify and disseminate other publicly available materials in accordance with Federal law to help build capacity of service providers;

“(7) provide training at relevant conferences, through webinars, or through other mechanisms in accordance with Federal law; or

“(8) assist service providers in developing additional resources such as partnerships with Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies and other relevant entities in order to access a range of available services in accordance with Federal law.”

(b)
Technical and Conforming Amendment.— The table of contents in section 2 of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–162; 119 Stat. 2960) is amended by striking the item relating to section 111 and inserting the following:

“Sec. 111. Grants for specialized human trafficking training and technical assistance for service providers.”.

SEC. 11. Enhanced Penalties for Human Trafficking, Child Exploitation, and Repeat Offenders.

Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in chapter 77—
(A)
in section 1583(a), in the flush text following paragraph (3), by striking “ not more than 20 years” and inserting “ not more than 30 years”;
(B)
in section 1587, by striking “ four years” and inserting “ 10 years”; and
(C)
in section 1591(d), by striking “ 20 years” and inserting “ 25 years”; and
(2)
in section 2426—
(A)
in subsection (a), by striking “ twice” and inserting “ 3 times”; and
(B)
in subsection (b)(1)(B) by striking “ paragraph (1)” and inserting “ subparagraph (A)”.

SEC. 12. Targeting Organized Human Trafficking Perpetrators.

Section 521(c) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (2), by striking “ and” at the end;
(2)
by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4);
(3)
by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

“(3) a Federal offense involving human trafficking, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or transportation for prostitution or any illegal sexual activity; and”

; and

(4)
in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by striking “ (1) or (2)” and inserting “ (1), (2), or (3)”.

SEC. 13. Investigating Complex Human Trafficking Networks.

Section 2516 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subsection (1)(c)—
(A)
by inserting “ section 1582 (vessels for slave trade), section 1583 (enticement into slavery),” after “ section 1581 (peonage),”; and
(B)
by inserting “ section 1585 (seizure, detention, transportation or sale of slaves), section 1586 (service on vessels in slave trade), section 1587 (possession of slaves aboard vessel), section 1588 (transportation of slaves from United States),” after “ section 1584 (involuntary servitude),”; and
(2)
in subsection (2)—
(A)
by striking “ kidnapping human” and inserting “ kidnapping, human”; and
(B)
by striking “ production, ,” and inserting “ production, prostitution,”.

SEC. 14. Combating Sex Tourism.

Section 2423 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subsection (b), by striking “ for the purpose” and inserting “ with a motivating purpose”; and
(2)
in subsection (d), by striking “ for the purpose of engaging” and inserting “ with a motivating purpose of engaging”.

SEC. 15. Human Trafficking Justice Coordinators.

Section 606 of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (34 U.S.C. 20711) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (b)(1)—
(A)
by striking subparagraph (B); and
(B)
by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:

“(c) Human Trafficking Justice Coordinators.—The Attorney General shall designate in each Federal judicial district not less than 1 assistant United States attorney to serve as the Human Trafficking Coordinator for the district who, in addition to any other responsibilities, works with a human trafficking victim-witness specialist and shall be responsible for—

“(1) implementing the National Strategy with respect to all forms of human trafficking, including labor trafficking and sex trafficking;

“(2) prosecuting, or assisting in the prosecution of, human trafficking cases;

“(3) conducting public outreach and awareness activities relating to human trafficking;

“(4) ensuring the collection of data required to be collected under clause (viii) of section 105(d)(7)(Q) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(d)(7)(Q)), as added by section 17 of the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017, is sought;

“(5) coordinating with other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies, victim service providers, and other relevant non-governmental organizations to build partnerships on activities relating to human trafficking; and

“(6) ensuring the collection of restitution for victims is sought as required to be ordered under section 1593 of title 18, United States Code, and section 2429 of such title, as added by section 3 of the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017.

“(d) Department of Justice Coordinator.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017, the Attorney General shall designate an official who shall coordinate human trafficking efforts within the Department of Justice who, in addition to any other responsibilities, shall be responsible for—

“(1) coordinating, promoting, and supporting the work of the Department of Justice relating to human trafficking, including investigation, prosecution, training, outreach, victim support, grant-making, and policy activities;

“(2) in consultation with survivors of human trafficking, or anti-human trafficking organizations, producing and disseminating, including making publicly available when appropriate, replication guides and training materials for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, emergency responders, individuals working in victim services, adult and child protective services, social services, and public safety, medical personnel, mental health personnel, financial services personnel, and any other individuals whose work may bring them in contact with human trafficking regarding how to—

“(A) identify signs of human trafficking;

“(B) conduct investigations in human trafficking cases;

“(C) address evidentiary issues and other legal issues; and

“(D) appropriately assess, respond to, and interact with victims and witnesses in human trafficking cases, including in administrative, civil, and criminal judicial proceedings; and

“(3) carrying out such other duties as the Attorney General determines necessary in connection with enhancing the understanding, prevention, and detection of, and response to, human trafficking.”

SEC. 16. Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking.

Section 105(d)(7)(Q) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(d)(7)(Q)) is amended—
(1)
in clause (vi), by striking “ and” at the end; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:

“(viii) the number of convictions obtained under chapter 77 of title 18, United States Code, aggregated separately by the form of offense committed with respect to the victim, including recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing, obtaining, advertising, maintaining, patronizing, or soliciting a human trafficking victim; and”

SEC. 17. Additional Reporting on Crime.

Section 237(b) of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (28 U.S.C. 534 note) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (2), by striking “ and” at the end;
(2)
in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:

“(4) incidents of assisting or promoting prostitution, child labor that is a violation of law, or forced labor of an individual under the age of 18 as described in paragraph (1); and

“(5) incidents of purchasing or soliciting commercial sex acts, child labor that is a violation of law, or forced labor with an individual under the age of 18 as described in paragraph (2).”

SEC. 18. Strengthening the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

(a)
Reporting Requirement.— Section 105(d)(3) of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(d)(3)) is amended—
(1)
by inserting “ and providing an annual report on the case referrals received from the national human trafficking hotline by Federal departments and agencies” after “ international trafficking”; and
(2)
by inserting “ and reporting requirements” after “ Any data collection procedures”.
(b)
Hotline Information.— Section 107(b)(1)(B)(ii) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1)(B)(ii)) is amended by adding at the end the following: “ The number of the national human trafficking hotline described in this clause shall be posted in a visible place in all Federal buildings.”.

SEC. 19. Ending Government Partnerships with the Commercial Sex Industry.

No Federal funds or resources may be used for the operation of, participation in, or partnership with any program that involves the provision of funding or resources to an organization that—
(1)
has the primary purpose of providing adult entertainment; and
(2)
derives profits from the commercial sex trade.

SEC. 20. Understanding the Effects of Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons.

(a)
In General.— Title VI of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–22; 129 Stat. 258) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 607. UNDERSTANDING THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SEVERE FORMS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS.

“(a) In General.—The National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall jointly conduct a study on the short-term and long-term physical and psychological effects of serious harm (as that term is defined in section 1589(c)(2) and section 1591(e)(4) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–457; 122 Stat. 5044)) in order to determine the most effective types of services for individuals who are identified as victims of these crimes, including victims in cases that were not investigated or prosecuted by any law enforcement agency, and how new or current treatment and programming options should be tailored to address the unique needs and barriers associated with these victims.

“(b) Report.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017, the National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall make available to the public the results, including any associated recommendations, of the study conducted under subsection (a).”

(b)
Table of Contents Amendment.— The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–22; 129 Stat. 227) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 606 the following:

“Sec. 607. Understanding the physical and psychological effects of severe forms of trafficking in persons.”.

SEC. 21. Combating Trafficking in Persons.

Section 113 of the Trafficking Victims Prevention Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7110) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (b)(2), by striking “ 2014 through 2017” and inserting “ 2018 through 2021”; and
(2)
in subsection (i), by striking “ 2014 through 2017” and inserting “ 2018 through 2021”.

SEC. 22. Grant Accountability.

(a)
Definitions.— In this section—
(1)
the term “covered agency” means an agency authorized to award grants under this Act;
(2)
the term “covered grant” means a grant authorized to be awarded under this Act; and
(3)
the term “covered official” means the head of a covered agency.
(b)
Accountability.— All covered grants shall be subject to the following accountability provisions:
(1)
Audit requirement.—
(A)
Definition.— In this paragraph, the term “unresolved audit finding” means a finding in the final audit report of the Inspector General of a covered agency that the audited grantee has utilized funds under a covered grant for an unauthorized expenditure or otherwise unallowable cost that is not closed or resolved within 12 months from the date when the final audit report is issued.
(B)
Audits.— Beginning in the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the Inspector General of a covered agency shall conduct audits of recipients of covered grants to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds by grantees. The Inspector General shall determine the appropriate number of grantees to be audited each year.
(C)
Mandatory exclusion.— A recipient of funds under a covered grant that is found to have an unresolved audit finding shall not be eligible to receive funds under a covered grant during the first 2 fiscal years beginning after the end of the 12-month period described in subparagraph (A).
(D)
Priority.— In awarding covered grants, a covered official shall give priority to eligible applicants that did not have an unresolved audit finding during the 3 fiscal years before submitting an application for the covered grant.
(E)
Reimbursement.— If an entity is awarded funds under a covered grant during the 2-fiscal-year period during which the entity is barred from receiving covered grants under subparagraph (C), a covered official shall—
(i)
deposit an amount equal to the amount of the grant funds that were improperly awarded to the grantee into the General Fund of the Treasury; and
(ii)
seek to recoup the costs of the repayment to the fund from the recipient of the covered grant that was erroneously awarded grant funds.
(2)
Nonprofit organization requirements.—
(A)
Definition.— For purposes of this paragraph and each covered grant program, the term “nonprofit organization” means an organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
(B)
Prohibition.— A covered grant may not be awarded to a nonprofit organization that holds money in offshore accounts for the purpose of avoiding paying the tax described in section 511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(C)
Disclosure.— Each nonprofit organization that is awarded a covered grant and uses the procedures prescribed in regulations to create a rebuttable presumption of reasonableness for the compensation of its officers, directors, trustees, and key employees, shall disclose to the applicable covered official, in the application for the covered grant, the process for determining such compensation, including the independent persons involved in reviewing and approving such compensation, the comparability data used, and contemporaneous substantiation of the deliberation and decision. Upon request, a covered official shall make the information disclosed under this subparagraph available for public inspection.
(3)
Conference expenditures.—
(A)
Limitation.— No amounts made available to a covered agency to carry out a covered grant program may be used by a covered official, or by any individual or entity awarded discretionary funds through a cooperative agreement under a covered grant program, to host or support any expenditure for conferences that uses more than $20,000 in funds made available by the covered agency, unless the covered official provides prior written authorization that the funds may be expended to host the conference.
(B)
Written approval.— Written approval under subparagraph (A) shall include a written estimate of all costs associated with the conference, including the cost of all food, beverages, audio-visual equipment, honoraria for speakers, and entertainment.
(C)
Report.—
(i)
Department of justice.— The Deputy Attorney General shall submit an annual report to the appropriate committees of Congress on all conference expenditures approved under this paragraph.
(ii)
Department of health and human services.— The Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report on all conference expenditures approved under this paragraph.
(iii)
Department of homeland security.— The Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report on all conference expenditures approved under this paragraph.
(4)
Annual certification.— Beginning in the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, each covered official shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual certification—
(A)
indicating whether—
(i)
all audits issued by the Office of the Inspector General of the applicable covered agency under paragraph (1) have been completed and reviewed by the appropriate official;
(ii)
all mandatory exclusions required under paragraph (1)(C) have been issued; and
(iii)
all reimbursements required under paragraph (1)(E) have been made; and
(B)
that includes a list of any recipients of a covered grant excluded under paragraph (1) from the previous year.
(c)
Preventing Duplicative Grants.—
(1)
In general.— Before a covered official awards a covered grant, the covered official shall compare potential awards under the covered grant program with other covered grants awarded to determine if duplicate grant awards are awarded for the same purpose.
(2)
Report.— If a covered official awards duplicate covered grants to the same applicant for the same purpose the covered official shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes—
(A)
a list of all duplicate covered grants awarded, including the total dollar amount of any duplicate covered grants awarded; and
(B)
the reason the covered official awarded the duplicate covered grants.

SEC. 23. Hero Act Improvements.

(a)
In General.— Section 890A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 473) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)—
(A)
in paragraph (1), by inserting “ Homeland Security Investigations,” after “ Customs Enforcement,”; and
(B)
by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

“(2) Purpose.—The Center shall provide investigative assistance, training, and equipment to support domestic and international investigations of cyber-related crimes by the Department.”

(2)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting after “ personnel” the following: “ , which shall include participating in training for Homeland Security Investigations personnel conducted by Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces”; and
(B)
in paragraph (3)—
(i)
in subparagraph (B)—
(I)
in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting “ in child exploitation investigations” after “ Enforcement”; and
(II)
in clause (i), by inserting “ child” before “ victims”;
(ii)
in subparagraph (C), by inserting “ child exploitation” after “ number of”; and
(iii)
in subparagraph (D), by inserting “ child exploitation” after “ number of”; and
(3)
in subsection (c)(2)—
(A)
in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting “ and administer the Digital Forensics and Document and Media Exploitation program” after “ forensics”;
(B)
in subparagraph (C), by inserting “ and emerging technologies” after “ forensics”; and
(C)
in subparagraph (D), by striking “ and the National Association to Protect Children” and inserting “ , the National Association to Protect Children, and other governmental entities”.
(b)
HERO Child-Rescue Corps.— Section 890A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 473) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g);
(2)
by inserting after subsection (d) the following:

“(e) HERO Child-Rescue Corps.—

“(1) Establishment.—

“(A) In general.—There is established within the Center a Human Exploitation Rescue Operation Child-Rescue Corps Program (referred to in this section as the ‘HERO Child-Rescue Corps Program’), which shall be a Department-wide program, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and the National Association to Protect Children.

“(B) Private sector collaboration.—As part of the HERO Child-Rescue Corps Program, the National Association to Protect Children shall provide logistical support for program participants.

“(2) Purpose.—The purpose of the HERO Child-Rescue Corps Program shall be to recruit, train, equip, and employ members of the Armed Forces on active duty and wounded, ill, and injured veterans to combat and prevent child exploitation, including in investigative, intelligence, analyst, inspection, and forensic positions or any other positions determined appropriate by the employing agency.

“(3) Functions.—The HERO Child-Rescue Program shall—

“(A) provide, recruit, train, and equip participants of the Program in the areas of digital forensics, investigation, analysis, intelligence, and victim identification, as determined by the Center and the needs of the Department; and

“(B) ensure that during the internship period, participants of the Program are assigned to investigate and analyze—

“(i) child exploitation;

“(ii) child pornography;

“(iii) unidentified child victims;

“(iv) human trafficking;

“(v) traveling child sex offenders; and

“(vi) forced child labor, including the sexual exploitation of minors.

“(f) Paid Internship and Hiring Program.—

“(1) In general.—The Secretary shall establish a paid internship and hiring program for the purpose of placing participants of the HERO Child-Rescue Corps Program (in this subsection referred to as ‘participants’) into paid internship positions, for the subsequent appointment of the participants to permanent positions, as described in the guidelines promulgated under paragraph (3).

“(2) Internship positions.—Under the paid internship and hiring program required to be established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall assign or detail participants to positions within United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or any other Federal agency in accordance with the guidelines promulgated under paragraph (3).

“(3) Placement.—

“(A) In general.—The Secretary shall promulgate guidelines for assigning or detailing participants to positions within United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other Federal agencies, which shall include requirements for internship duties and agreements regarding the subsequent appointment of the participants to permanent positions.

“(B) Preference.—The Secretary shall give a preference to Homeland Security Investigations in assignments or details under the guidelines promulgated under subparagraph (A).

“(4) Term of internship.—An appointment to an internship position under this subsection shall be for a term not to exceed 12 months.

“(5) Rate and term of pay.—After completion of initial group training and upon beginning work at an assigned office, a participant appointed to an internship position under this subsection who is not receiving monthly basic pay as a member of the Armed Forces on active duty shall receive compensation at a rate that is—

“(A) not less than the minimum rate of basic pay payable for a position at level GS–5 of the General Schedule; and

“(B) not more than the maximum rate of basic pay payable for a position at level GS–7 of the General Schedule.

“(6) Eligibility.—In establishing the paid internship and hiring program required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that the eligibility requirements for participation in the internship program are the same as the eligibility requirements for participation in the HERO Child-Rescue Corps Program.

“(7) Hero corps hiring.—The Secretary shall establish within Homeland Security Investigations positions, which shall be in addition to any positions in existence on the date of enactment of this subsection, for the hiring and permanent employment of graduates of the paid internship program required to be established under paragraph (1).”

; and

(3)
in subsection (g), as so redesignated—
(A)
by striking “ There are authorized” and inserting the following:

“(1) In general.—There are authorized”

; and

(B)
by adding at the end the following:

“(2) Allocation.—Of the amount made available pursuant to paragraph (1) in each of fiscal years 2019 through 2022, not more than $10,000,000 shall be used to carry out subsection (e) and not less than $2,000,000 shall be used to carry out subsection (f).”

(c)
Technical and Conforming Amendment.— Section 302 of the HERO Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–22; 129 Stat. 255) is amended—
(1)
by striking subsection (c); and
(2)
by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).