Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2015

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to condition eligibility to receive a state grant for child abuse or neglect prevention and treatment programs on inclusion in the state plan of a certification by the governor that the state has in effect and is enforcing a state law, or is operating a statewide program, that includes provisions and procedures to:

• identify and assess reports involving children who are sex trafficking victims (and which may also involve children who are victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons),
• train representatives of the state child protective services about identifying and assessing such children, and
• identify services and procedures for appropriate referral to address the needs of such children.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on:

• the specific type and prevalence of severe forms of trafficking in persons to which children have been subjected who are identified for services or intervention under the placement, care, or supervision of state, Indian tribe, or tribal organization child welfare agencies;
• the practices and protocols utilized by states to identify and serve children who are, or are at-risk of becoming, victims of trafficking; and
• any barriers in federal laws or regulations that may prevent identification and assessment of children who are such victims.