A resolution supporting the observation of National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month during the period beginning on January 1, 2026, and ending on February 1, 2026, to raise awareness of, and opposition to, human trafficking and modern slavery.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 603
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-10: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S557; text: CR S555-556)
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-13T13:49:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate resolution (S. Res. 603) expresses support for designating the period from January 1, 2026, to February 1, 2026, as National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month. Its goal is to increase public awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery, highlight their opposition, and emphasize the United States' commitment to ending these practices through education, prevention, and collaboration.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes extensive background ("Whereas" clauses) on the history, scale, and vulnerabilities related to human trafficking and modern slavery, followed by specific supportive actions in the "Resolved" section:
- Observation of the Month: Encourages recognition of the designated period to highlight the role of U.S. citizens in combating human trafficking and modern slavery.
- Programs and Activities: Calls for appropriate events and initiatives during the month, ending with the observance of National Freedom Day on February 1, 2026 (a federally recognized day commemorating the 13th Amendment's end to slavery).
- Partnerships: Urges collaboration among federal, state, tribal, and local agencies; survivors of trafficking; social service providers; and nonprofit organizations, using a victim-centered approach that focuses on trauma-informed care.
- Broader Efforts: Supports all initiatives to prevent, eliminate, raise awareness of, and oppose human trafficking and modern slavery.
The background details global and U.S. statistics (e.g., 50 million victims worldwide, $150 billion in annual revenues), risk factors (e.g., homelessness, youth vulnerability, LGBTQ+ individuals, Native American communities), and references to existing laws like the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution and introduces no changes to existing laws or regulations. It reaffirms and builds on prior anti-trafficking legislation, such as the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, and various reauthorizations through 2022, without amending them.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Encourages coordinated efforts among federal (e.g., Departments of Justice, State, Labor, Health and Human Services), state, tribal, and local entities to enhance prevention, victim identification, and prosecution. It may indirectly boost reporting and investigations, as seen in increased child sex trafficking reports following recent laws like the REPORT Act.
- On Citizens: Raises public awareness, particularly for at-risk groups like homeless youth (where 1 in 5 face trafficking) and vulnerable communities (e.g., Native American women and girls), potentially leading to better support systems and reduced victimization through education.
- On International Relations: Highlights U.S. opposition to global trafficking, referencing foreign origins of victims (e.g., from Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala) and supply chain issues (e.g., 204 goods from 82 countries linked to forced labor). It reinforces the U.S. role in international anti-trafficking efforts without creating new obligations.
Overall, impacts are primarily educational and symbolic, fostering a "whole-of-government" and societal response rather than enforceable mandates.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Victims and Survivors: Emphasized through calls for trauma-informed services, justice, and advisory roles (e.g., via the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking).
- Vulnerable Populations: Includes homeless and runaway youth (average victim age 15), LGBTQ+ youth, American Indian/Alaska Native/Pacific Islander communities, and children facing abuse or neglect.
- Government and Law Enforcement: Federal agencies (e.g., DOJ, DHS, NCMEC), state/tribal/local governments, and contractors (via rules like the Federal Acquisition Regulation on trafficking in contracts).
- Nonprofits and Service Providers: Social services, hotlines (e.g., National Human Trafficking Hotline), and organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, urged to partner in victim support and awareness.
- Businesses and Global Entities: U.S. companies addressing supply chain risks, and international actors (governments, organizations) involved in trafficking, facing calls for accountability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal and Constitutional: Ties directly to the 13th Amendment (prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude), invoking Congress's authority to enforce it via "appropriate legislation" like the "3P" approach (prevention, protection, prosecution) from the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. It underscores victim rights and anti-trafficking statutes without creating new legal duties.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (sponsored by senators from both parties, including Grassley, Cortez Masto, Collins, and Durbin) and a unified stance against trafficking. As a resolution agreed to by the Senate, it signals ongoing congressional priority on human rights issues, potentially influencing future funding or policies, but lacks binding force. It also notes emerging challenges like AI-related child exploitation, highlighting evolving threats.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-10: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S557; text: CR S555-556)
- 2026-02-10: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
Bill Versions
- Supporting the observation of National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month during the period beginning on January 1, 2026, and ending on February 1, 2026, to raise awareness of, and opposition to, human trafficking and modern slavery. — issued 2026-02-10 — PDF (9 pages)