Rep. Reichert’s sex traffic prevention bill becomes law
Published 2:54 pm Thursday, December 18, 2014
A recent bill, the “Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act,” was signed into law this fall by President Obama. This bipartisan legislation includes bills from Rep. Dave Reichert, of the Valley’s 8th District, to prevent the sex trafficking of youth in foster care (H.R. 4058) and to ensure proper child support payments even when a parent lives abroad (H.R. 1896).
“In 33 years of law enforcement, I saw all too often the tragic circumstances these children could end up in if not properly taken care of,” Reichert said in a statement. “Now, this new law will help protect children from the horrors of sex trafficking and give them opportunities to lead more normal and successful lives.”
The new law will specifically act to prevent sex trafficking by:
• Requiring state child welfare agencies to identify, document, and determine appropriate services for children in foster care or who are otherwise involved in the child welfare system who are victims of child sex trafficking or at risk of becoming victims.
• Requiring state child welfare agencies to promote “normalcy” for youth in foster care allowing them to more easily participate in age-appropriate social, scholastic and enrichment activities.
