STOP Human Trafficking Act

Bill Number

S. 3110

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Last Updated

2025-11-19T15:33:07Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Supporting Transportation Operations that Prevent Human Trafficking Act" (S. 3110), also known as the "STOP Human Trafficking Act," aims to strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking within the U.S. transportation sector. It updates the Department of Transportation's (DOT) existing training and awareness programs and establishes a grant program to support awareness, education, and prevention initiatives across all modes of transportation, such as air, rail, bus, maritime, and rideshare services.

Key Provisions

• Human Trafficking Research (Section 2): Requires DOT to build on existing research from organizations like the Transportation Research Board and submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 3 years summarizing past, current, and ongoing studies on human trafficking in transportation.
• Counter-Trafficking Information Sharing (Section 3): Mandates DOT to create, within 2 years:
• A central database tracking efforts by organizations that signed the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking Pledge, including reported tips, policies, training, awareness, and partnerships.
• Mode-specific (e.g., air, rail) policies covering partnerships, reporting, training, awareness, research, and support for victims and survivors.
• A database on laws, resources, and tools to prevent forced labor in transportation supply chains.
• A policy template promoting a zero-tolerance approach for organizations to adopt and post online.
• DOT must consult with the Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking, Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking, and the Blue Lightning Initiative.
• Supporting Counter-Trafficking Training and Awareness (Section 4): Within 1 year, DOT must:
• Update its multimodal (covering multiple transportation types) training and awareness campaign to include survivor-informed (input from those who experienced trafficking), trauma-informed (sensitive to psychological harm), and mode-specific best practices, such as signage and resources that promote safety, avoid re-traumatization, and address cultural factors and technological barriers.
• Develop tools like pocket cards, multilingual materials for vulnerable groups, indicators for identifying both victims and potential traffickers, standardized checklists for employees and law enforcement, and evaluation tools to measure training and campaign effectiveness.
• Submit a report to Congress, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on integrating efforts into the Blue Lightning Initiative (a DHS-led program for aviation security) and creating similar partnerships for other transportation modes.
• Consult with the same advisory groups as in Section 3.
• Public Awareness Campaign (Section 5): Within 1 year, DOT must launch an ongoing campaign using media like posters, social media, TV, and radio to raise awareness along high-risk routes, cities, and during major events (e.g., FIFA World Cup 2026, 2028 Summer Olympics, America250 celebrations). Materials must be updated periodically, developed with input from law enforcement, local governments, and stakeholders. A report due within 90 days outlines plans for pre-departure public service announcements at transportation hubs. Authorizes $10 million annually from fiscal years 2027–2031 for this section and Sections 2–4.
• DOT Human Trafficking Prevention Grants (Section 6): Establishes a grant program within DOT's Office of the Secretary for multimodal stakeholders. Reserves $10 million annually (fiscal years 2027–2031) for grants to:
• Nonprofits combating trafficking via transportation, transit operators, passenger rail, airports, ports/cruise lines, commercial vehicles, rideshares/taxis/limousines, and other eligible entities.
• Prioritize regions with high trafficking prevalence and consider regional impacts.
• Coordinate community efforts and follow Advisory Committee recommendations.
• Consult with the Advisory Committee on fund distribution.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill builds on prior efforts like the Blue Lightning Initiative and the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking Pledge by mandating updates to DOT's training campaigns, creating new centralized databases for tracking and sharing information, and introducing a dedicated grant program for prevention across all transportation modes. It expands beyond aviation (a focus of existing programs) to include rail, maritime, bus, and rideshare sectors, and incorporates survivor- and trauma-informed approaches, which were not explicitly required before. It also authorizes new appropriations ($10 million each for the awareness campaign and grants, fiscal years 2027–2031) to fund these initiatives, representing a formal commitment not previously in place.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: DOT and DHS will see increased responsibilities for research, database management, training updates, and grant administration, potentially improving coordination on anti-trafficking efforts. This could strain resources initially but enhance long-term efficiency through shared tools and partnerships.
• Citizens: Heightened awareness and training may empower transportation workers and the public to identify and report trafficking, increasing safety for vulnerable populations (e.g., displaced individuals, event attendees) and reducing victimization along travel routes. Multilingual materials and public campaigns could particularly benefit immigrants and low-income travelers.
• International Relations: By targeting global events like the FIFA World Cup and Olympics, the bill could align U.S. transportation security with international anti-trafficking standards, fostering cooperation with foreign governments and organizations, though it focuses primarily on domestic implementation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Transportation Operators and Entities: Airports, transit agencies, rail companies, ports, cruise lines, trucking firms, rideshares, taxis, and limousines will access grants, training, and policies to integrate anti-trafficking measures, potentially increasing operational costs but improving compliance and reputation.
• Nonprofit Organizations and Advocacy Groups: Those combating trafficking (e.g., via the Advisory Committee) will influence development and receive grants, amplifying their role in education and support.
• Victims and Survivors: Benefit from trauma-informed resources, safer travel environments, and self-determination-focused tools that prioritize their safety and cultural needs.
• Law Enforcement and Government Bodies: Local police, DOT, DHS, and advisory initiatives like Blue Lightning will gain standardized checklists, databases, and partnerships to enhance detection and response.
• The Public and Vulnerable Populations: Event-goers, travelers, and high-risk communities (e.g., in trafficking hotspots) will encounter more awareness campaigns and preventive measures.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The bill reinforces federal anti-trafficking laws (e.g., under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act) by embedding prevention into transportation regulations, potentially leading to more prosecutions through better reporting tools. It promotes voluntary adoption of zero-tolerance policies but does not impose mandates on private entities beyond grant incentives.
• Constitutional Implications: No direct conflicts; it aligns with Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce (transportation) and spend on public welfare. Survivor-informed approaches respect due process by emphasizing non-retraumatizing interactions.
• Political Implications: Bipartisan sponsorship (e.g., by Sens. Cortez Masto, Blackburn, Klobuchar, Cornyn) signals broad support for anti-trafficking measures. Authorizing appropriations through 2031 ensures sustained funding but ties implementation to future budgets, which could face partisan debates on spending priorities. It highlights transportation's role in national security without expanding surveillance powers.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

Cosponsors (3)

Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
• 2025-11-05: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Supporting Transportation Operations that Prevent Human Trafficking Act — issued 2025-11-05 — PDF (10 pages)