November 5, 2025
Mrs. Blackburn (for herself and Ms. Cortez Masto) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
To amend titles 46 and 49, United States Code, to require that individuals who commit human trafficking violations be permanently disqualified from obtaining certain licenses issued by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Trafficker Restrictions for Aviation, Federal Freight, and Interstate Carriers Act of 2025
of the TRAFFIC Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Permanent disqualification for human trafficking violations
(a) Merchant seamen licenses, certificates, and documents
(1) In general
Chapter 75 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
7512. Human trafficking as grounds for denial
A license, certificate, or merchant mariner’s document authorized to be issued under this part shall be denied to an individual who has been convicted of—
(1)
an offense prohibited under chapter 77 of title 18; or
(2)
a substantially similar offense prohibited under—
(A)
any other Federal law; or
(B)
a State, local, or Tribal law.
(2) Clerical amendment
The analysis for chapter 75 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(b) Licensing or certification of locomotive operators
Section 20135 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(f) Human trafficking violations
The Secretary may not issue a license or certification described under this section to an individual who has been convicted of—
(1)
an offense prohibited under chapter 77 of title 18; or
(2)
a substantially similar offense prohibited under—
(A)
any other Federal law; or
(B)
a State, local, or Tribal law.
(c) Certification of train conductors
Section 20163 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(c) Human trafficking violations
In developing the regulations required by subsection (a), the Secretary may not permit a certification described under this section to be issued to an individual who has been convicted of—
(1)
an offense prohibited under chapter 77 of title 18; or
(2)
a substantially similar offense prohibited under—
(A)
any other Federal law; or
(B)
a State, local, or Tribal law.
(d) Commercial driver’s licenses
Section 31310(d)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking who uses a commercial motor vehicle in committing a felony involving an act or practice described in paragraph (9) of section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(9))
and inserting the following: “who has been convicted of—
(1)
an offense prohibited under chapter 77 of title 18; or
(2)
a substantially similar offense prohibited under—
(A)
any other Federal law; or
(B)
a State, local, or Tribal law.
(e) Pilot certificate permanent disqualification
Section 44703 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(m) Human trafficking violations
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not issue an airman certificate to any individual who has been convicted of—
(1)
an offense prohibited under chapter 77 of title 18; or
(2)
a substantially similar offense prohibited under—
(A)
any other Federal law; or
(B)
a State, local, or Tribal law.
(f) Other licenses, certificates, and authorizations
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of Homeland Security, as applicable, shall disqualify from receiving or holding a document or authorization described in paragraph (2) any individual who has been convicted of—
(A)
an offense prohibited under chapter 77 of title 18, United States Code; or
(B)
a substantially similar offense prohibited under—
(i)
any other Federal law; or
(ii)
a State, local, or Tribal law.
(2) Documents and authorizations described
A document or authorization referred to in paragraph (1) is a license, certificate, or other document or authorization—
(A)
that is issued by the Department of Transportation or the Department of Homeland Security;
(B)
that authorizes or otherwise relates to the operation of any vehicle, aircraft, vessel, or other form of transportation; and
(C)
the issuance or holding of which is not addressed by—
(i)
section 7512 of title 46, United States Code; or
(ii)
section 20135(f), 20163(c), 31310(d)(2), or 44703(m) of title 49, United States Code.