Introduced in House — H.R. 7225

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7225

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 22, 2026

Mr. Moore of North Carolina (for himself and Mr. Correa) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To strengthen protections for child sex trafficking victims testifying against human traffickers.

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protecting Child Sex Trafficking Victim Witnesses Act.

Sec. 2. Victim-centered guidance

(a) In general

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, in consultation with Federal law enforcement agencies and prosecutors and other appropriate stakeholders, shall develop and publish victim-centered guidance to strengthen protections for child sex trafficking victims testifying against human traffickers, including—

(1)

practices to minimize the adverse consequences of testifying on child sex trafficking victim witnesses;

(2)

safe travel, lodging, and accompaniment for child sex trafficking victim witnesses;

(3)

use of child advocacy centers and family justice centers, where appropriate; and

(4)

safety planning, including post-trial safety planning.

(b) Guidance required

Not later than 180 days after the publication of the guidance required under subsection (a), the Attorney General shall disseminate and provide training to each office of the United States Attorney on the victim-centered guidance.

Sec. 3. Training on victim-centered protocols

(a) Department of Justice training and policy for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges

Section 209(c)(1)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20709(c)(1)(A)) is amended—

(1)

in clause (iii), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in clause (iv)(II), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(v)
protections for child sex trafficking victims testifying against human traffickers based on the victim-centered guidance published by the Attorney General in accordance with section 2(a) of the Protecting Child Sex Trafficking Victim Witnesses Act.

(b) Federal prosecutors

Section 209(c)(1)(B) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20709(c)(1)(B)) is amended—

(1)

by striking training on seeking and inserting the following:

training on—
(i)
seeking;

(2)

by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(ii)
victim-centered guidance to strengthen protections for child sex trafficking victims testifying against human traffickers based on victim-centered guidance published by the Attorney General in accordance with section 2(a) of the Protecting Child Sex Trafficking Victim Witnesses Act.

Sec. 4. Additional uses for victim-centered child human trafficking deterrence block grant

Section 203(b)(1) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20703(b)(1)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end;

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(F)
strengthen protections for child sex trafficking victims testifying against human traffickers based on victim-centered guidance published by the Attorney General in accordance with section 2(a) of the Protecting Child Sex Trafficking Victim Witnesses Act; and
(G)
carry out any of the authorized uses of a grant under section 204(a)(1) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005.

Sec. 5. Modernizing Federal child victims’ and child witnesses’ rights

Section 3509 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (6), by striking child prostitution and inserting child sex trafficking and child prostitution;

(B)

in paragraph (7), by inserting victim advocacy, after law enforcement,; and

(C)

in paragraph (8), by striking prostitution and inserting commercial sex act (as defined in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102));

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)(A), in the first sentence, by striking in a room; and

(B)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in the paragraph heading, by after Videotaped the following: and Digitally recorded;

(ii)

in subparagraph (A), by inserting or digital recording after on videotape;

(iii)

in subparagraph (B)—

(I)

in clause (ii), by inserting or digital recording after by videotape;

(II)

in clause (iii)—

(aa)

in the first sentence, by inserting after videotape the following: or digitally recorded; and

(bb)

in subclause (IV), by inserting after videotape the following: or recording; and

(III)

in clause (v)—

(aa)

in the clause heading, by inserting after videotape the following: or digital recording;

(bb)

in the first sentence, by inserting or digital recording after on video tape; and

(cc)

in the second sentence, by inserting after videotape the following: or digital recording;

(iv)

in subparagraph (C), by inserting after videotaped the following: or digitally recorded;

(v)

in subparagraph (D)—

(I)

by inserting after videotaping the following: or digital recording; and

(II)

by inserting after videotaped the following: or digitally recorded;

(vi)

in subparagraph (E), by inserting after videotaped the following: or digitally recorded; and

(vii)

in subparagraph (F), by inserting after videotape each place it appears the following: or digital recording; and

(3)

in subsection (i), in the last sentence, by inserting after recorded on videotape the following: or digitally recorded.