---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 642"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "642"
heading: "Training for Department personnel to identify human trafficking"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/642"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — Homeland Security Organization"
  - "Subchapter XVII — Anti-Trafficking Training for Department of Homeland Security Personnel"
---

# §642. Training for Department personnel to identify human trafficking

- (a) **In general—** Not later than 180 days after May 29, 2015, the [Secretary](/usc/6/641.md?p=3) shall implement a program to—
  - (1) train and periodically retrain relevant Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other [Department](/usc/6/641.md?p=1) [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15) that the [Secretary](/usc/6/641.md?p=3) considers appropriate, with respect to how to effectively deter, detect, and disrupt [human trafficking](/usc/6/641.md?p=2), and, where appropriate, interdict a suspected perpetrator of [human trafficking](/usc/6/641.md?p=2), during the course of their primary roles and responsibilities; and
  - (2) ensure that the [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15) referred to in [paragraph (1)](#a-1) regularly receive current information on matters related to the detection of [human trafficking](/usc/6/641.md?p=2), including information that becomes available outside of the [Department](/usc/6/641.md?p=1)’s initial or periodic retraining schedule, to the extent relevant to their official duties and consistent with applicable information and privacy laws.
- (b) **Training described—** The training referred to in [subsection (a)](#a) may be conducted through in-class or virtual learning capabilities, and shall include—
  - (1) methods for identifying suspected victims of [human trafficking](/usc/6/641.md?p=2) and, where appropriate, perpetrators of [human trafficking](/usc/6/641.md?p=2);
  - (2) for appropriate [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15), methods to approach a suspected victim of [human trafficking](/usc/6/641.md?p=2), where appropriate, in a manner that is sensitive to the suspected victim and is not likely to alert a suspected perpetrator of [human trafficking](/usc/6/641.md?p=2);
  - (3) training that is most appropriate for a particular location or environment in which the [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15) receiving such training perform their official duties;
  - (4) other topics determined by the [Secretary](/usc/6/641.md?p=3) to be appropriate; and
  - (5) a post-training evaluation for [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15) receiving the training.
- (c) **Training curriculum review—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/641.md?p=3) shall annually reassess the training program established under [subsection (a)](#a) to ensure it is consistent with current techniques, patterns, and trends associated with [human trafficking](/usc/6/641.md?p=2).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 114–22, title IX, § 902, May 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 265.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, and not as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 which comprises this chapter.