Counter Human Trafficking Research and Development Act

Counter Human Trafficking Research and Development Act

This bill establishes a counter human trafficking initiative.

Specifically, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) must establish a National Counter Human Trafficking Research and Development Initiative to improve counter human trafficking efforts.

The OSTP must establish or designate an interagency committee, which shall be co-chaired by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and include representatives from any other appropriate federal agency. The committee shall oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the initiative and establish and periodically update the initiative's goals and priorities. In addition, the committee must develop and periodically update a strategic plan.

Not later than 180 days after the enactment of this bill, the NSF must establish an advisory committee on counter human trafficking research and development. The advisory committee shall assess

• the coordination, implementation, and activities of the initiative;
• the balance of activities and funding across the initiative; and
• the need to revise the program.

Not later than 90 days after the enactment of this bill, the Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study that includes an assessment of human trafficking data collection needs and practices of federal agencies, local nongovernmental organizations, law enforcement, and prosecutors to improve federal research and development to prevent, identify, and disrupt human trafficking.