IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act
Where it stands
- Introduced3/7/23
- Passed SenatePassed 11/8/23
- HousePassed 9/23/24
- PresidentSigned 10/1/24
- LawPublic Law 118-96
Passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent on November 8, 2023. Passed the House by voice vote on September 23, 2024. Became Public Law 118-96 on October 1, 2024.
Passed by voice vote or unanimous consent — no individual positions were recorded.
IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act
This act provides statutory authority for and modifies two programs within Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)—an operational unit within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The programs are the Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma (IMPACTT) Program, which provides support to employees who have been exposed to various forms of trauma related to working with victims of human trafficking, and the Victim Assistance Program (VAP), which provides support to victims of human trafficking.
(Sec. 2) The act requires the IMPACTT Program to include (1) self-awareness training for employees on recognizing the signs of burnout, compassion fatigue, and other trauma-related signs; and (2) training materials detailing resources within ICE (e.g., Employees Assistance Program, Peer Support Program) and resources outside ICE (which may include faith-based resources). The program must also provide frontline supervisors with additional training on recognizing when the employees they supervise show signs of burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and other responses to such work. The bill specifies that training modules must be carried out by licensed and accredited clinicians with relevant training and experience.
(Sec. 3) Under the act, VAP must provide oversight, guidance, training, travel, equipment, and coordination to HSI victim assistance personnel. VAP must recruit at least (1) one forensic interview specialist and one victim assistance specialist for each HSI Special Agent in Charge office; (2) one victim assistance specialist for each HSI office participating in a human trafficking task force; and (3) one victim assistance specialist for each HSI office participating in a child sexual exploitation task force. Additionally, the program must train personnel on victims' rights and victim-related policies.
Further, the program is authorized to purchase emergency items that are needed to assist identified victims in HSI criminal investigations. The emergency items include food, clothing, hygiene products, transportation, and temporary shelter that is not otherwise provided by a nongovernmental organization.
(Sec. 4) The act directs the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress, one year after the act's enactment and annually thereafter (1) the number of trainings provided through the IMPACTT Program; (2) the number of personnel who received such training; and (3) the number of human trafficking victims assisted by VAP.
(Sec. 6) The act's provisions cease to apply on October 1, 2030.
What happens next
Became Public Law 118-96.
All actions (20)
- 3/7/23Introduced in Senate
- 3/7/23Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 3/29/23Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 5/4/23Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters without amendment. With written report No. 118-17.
- 5/4/23Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 45.
- 11/8/23Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5433-5434)
- 11/8/23Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5433-5434)
- 11/8/23Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5433-5434)
- 11/9/23Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 11/13/23Received in the House.
- 11/13/23Held at the desk.
- 9/23/24Mr. Bentz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 9/23/24Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5601-5603)
- 9/23/24DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 670.
- 9/23/24Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5601-5602)
- 9/23/24On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5601-5602)
- 9/23/24Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 9/26/24Presented to President.
- 10/1/24Signed by President.
- 10/1/24Became Public Law No: 118-96.