Dateline Washington – In a significant victory for U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Culver City/Los Angeles), he House of Representatives today unanimously passed the “Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.”

Ending human trafficking long has been a favorite cause of Ms. Bass’s, and this omnibus trafficking bill incorporates several bipartisan trafficking bills, including language from Ms. Bass.

This legislation enhances the “Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act,” which the House unanimously passed in January.

The legislation would help protect foster youth from falling victim to sex traffickers and would require states to identify child sex trafficking victims and make sure they receive appropriate services.

It also would provide policymakers with crucial information by requiring reports on numbers of sex trafficking victims to ensure legislative approaches are effective.

“This bill is the result of many girls having the courage to speak out against sex trafficking and address the issues in the foster care system that draw too many young girls to being victimized,” Ms. Bass said.

The “Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2015” addresses the nationwide connection between child sex trafficking and our nation’s foster care system. In Los Angeles County, 59 percent of the 174 children arrested in 2010 on “prostitution” charges had contact with the child welfare system.

Mr. Roth may be contacted at dan.roth@mail.house.gov