DOT's Counter-Trafficking Legislative Authorities

2016 FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act 

Requires part 121 and 135 operators to annually train flight attendants and (2) “ticket counter agents, gate agents, and other air carrier workers whose jobs require regular interaction with passengers” to recognize and respond to potential instances of human trafficking.

• 2016 FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act
• DOT/DHS Blue Lightning Initiative

2018 No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act 

Institutes a lifetime ban on Commercial Drivers Licenses for anyone using a commercial motor vehicle to commit a sex trafficking felony.  

• 2018 No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act 
• CDL Lifetime Disqualification for Human Trafficking

2018 Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act

• Directs the Secretary of Transportation to appoint a human trafficking prevention coordinator to coordinate human trafficking efforts across the modal administrations and federal government. 
• Requires that DOT: (1) establish an Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking (ACHT) to make recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation on various topics, including best practices to be shared with the states, governors, state departments of transportation, and other transportation stakeholders; and (2) submit a report on the actions of the Committee to Congress within 2 years of enactment.  
• Expands the FMCSA educational and outreach program, and the CDL financial assistance program to include the recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking.
  • 2018 Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act
  • DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking
  • DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking 2019 Report
  • Commercial Driver License (CDL) Program Implementation Grant

2018 FAA Reauthorization Act

Requires part 121 and 135 operators to annually train “ticket counter agents, gate agents, and other air carrier workers whose jobs require regular interaction with passengers” to recognize and respond to potential instances of human trafficking.  The DOT/DHS Blue Lightning Initiative training is one way that airlines can comply with the requirements.

• 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act
• DOT/DHS Blue Lightning Initiative

2019 Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act

Requires certain air carriers to track the number of personnel trained to recognize and report human trafficking, the number of notifications received from staff and passengers, and whether the air carrier notified the National Human Trafficking Hotline or law enforcement at the relevant airport. 

• 2019 Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act

2021 Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act

Requires the ACHT, in coordination with the Attorney General, to prepare and submit to Congress a triennial report relating to human trafficking violations involving commercial motor vehicles, and recommendations for countering human trafficking. The Act also expands FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program grants to include human trafficking prevention, detection, and reporting.  

• 2021 Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act
• DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking
• DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking 2019 Report
• Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program

2022 Human Trafficking Prevention Act

Requires that DOT seek to provide for the posting of contact information of the National Human Trafficking Hotline in the restrooms of each aircraft, airport, over-the-road bus, bus station, passenger train, and passenger railroad station operating within the U.S. 

• 2022 Human Trafficking Prevention Act