PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 115-427.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Jan 9, 2019
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2017
This bill modifies the criteria for evaluating whether countries are meeting the minimum standards for combatting human trafficking.
The President shall ensure that federal agencies limit grants and contracts to entities that do not engage in various activities related to human trafficking. Under the bill, one prohibited activity is charging employees for placement or recruitment fees. Previously, entities could charge such fees as long as they were reasonable.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The bill modifies requirements related to the Department of State's annual report to Congress on its anti-human trafficking efforts, which ranks countries on their compliance with the minimum standards laid out in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. For each country that received a different rank from the previous year, the State Department shall explain the reason for the change, including any concrete actions that country took or failed to take to address human trafficking concerns.
The State Department shall prepare an action plan for each country upgraded to tier 2 on the report's watch list, and how such a country can further improve (tier 2 countries do not meet minimum standards for combatting human trafficking but are making significant efforts to do so).
When the State Department downgrades a country to tier 2, it shall give the country's foreign minister a copy of the report and information including the reasons for the change. The State Department shall also explain the implications of the tier 2 designation and of any further downgrades.
The Department of the Treasury shall instruct its U.S. Executive Directors in each multilateral development bank to initiate discussions to further promote anti-human trafficking policies, including development strategies that reduce the prevalence of trafficking.
People & committees
Sen. Corker, Bob [R-TN] · R–TN
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 115-427.
Became Public Law No: 115-427.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 370 - 0 (Roll no. 491). (text: CR H10548-10549)
House roll call 491 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 370 - 0 (Roll no. 491).(text: CR H10548-10549)
House roll call 491 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10576)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1862.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10548-10550)
Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S7630-7631)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(text: CR S7630-7631)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7628-7631; text as reported in Senate: CR S7628-7629)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 623.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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