{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415072", "TAPinto Gold Coast article on the 25th anniversary of Smith's TVPA'From Washington to Monmouth County, Leaders Are Taking Action to Fight Human Trafficking'", "2025-11-03", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "By Jim Lonergan\n\nPublished November 3, 2025 at 11:10 AM\n\nFREEHOLD, N.J. \u2014 As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) \u2014 landmark federal legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) \u2014 Monmouth County officials are joining the fight locally by backing a New Jersey bill that would require rideshare drivers to complete anti-human trafficking training.\n\n\u201cSince becoming New Jersey\u2019s statewide provider for human trafficking victim services in October 2020, Covenant House New Jersey has provided comprehensive care to more than 450 identified victims of human trafficking \u2014 including survivors from right here in Monmouth County,\u201d said CEO Julia Einbond. \u201cHuman trafficking continues to be one of the most hidden crimes in our state. Strengthening our ability to recognize victims and connect them with critical services is essential to breaking the cycle of exploitation.\u201d\n\nTogether, these initiatives reflect a growing push to close gaps in transportation safety, improve victim identification, and strengthen both prevention and prosecution efforts against what experts call one of the most hidden crimes in modern society.\n\nFederal Momentum: Smith Marks 25 years of the TVPA: Rep. Smith \u2014 long recognized as a global leader in anti-human trafficking policy \u2014 is urging Congress to pass his new Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPA) of 2025 (H.R. 1144).\n\nSmith\u2019s original TVPA, enacted in 2000, established the framework for the \u201cthree Ps\u201d approach: prevention, protection, and prosecution. Over the past 25 years, it has helped convict more than 2,200 traffickers, created victim-assistance programs, and inspired over 180 countries to adopt similar anti-trafficking laws. \u201cWhen I first introduced the TVPA, people thought trafficking meant drugs or weapons, not human beings,\u201d Smith said. \u201cBut with bipartisan support, we changed that. The TVPA built a whole-of-government strategy to protect victims, prosecute traffickers, and prevent exploitation before it happens.\u201d\n\nSmith\u2019s new bill would reauthorize and expand anti-trafficking programs across the Departments of State, Justice, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services. It would also continue funding for the Angel Watch Center, which notifies foreign governments when convicted child sex offenders attempt to travel abroad \u2014 a key safeguard under Smith\u2019s International Megan\u2019s Law (2016).\n\nIn addition, the bill would launch a Frederick Douglass Survivors Employment and Education Program, helping trafficking survivors reintegrate into society through education and job support.\n\nLocal Action: Monmouth County Commissioners Back State Bill S1990: The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners is advancing its own anti-trafficking efforts by proposing a resolution in support of New Jersey Senate Bill 1990 (S1990) \u2014 legislation that would require transportation-network company (TNC) drivers, such as Uber and Lyft operators, to complete state-approved anti-human trafficking training.\n\nUnder the bill, every TNC driver and new applicant would be required to complete a training course approved by the New Jersey Attorney General that covers:\n\nWhat human trafficking is and how it\u2019s defined.\n\nThe role of rideshare drivers in recognizing and reporting suspected trafficking.\n\nClear instructions on how to report suspected cases to law enforcement.\n\nCurrent drivers would have 90 days from the bill\u2019s effective date to complete certification. Failure to comply would result in suspension from operating on the TNC\u2019s digital platform.\n\nWhy Bill S1990 Has Stalled: Despite broad support, S1990 has remained in the Senate Transportation Committee since being introduced in January 2024.\n\nKey factors contributing to the delay include:\n\nCommittee bottlenecks \u2014 the bill has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.\n\nFiscal note delays \u2014 a cost analysis from the Office of Legislative Services has not been certified, often a prerequisite for floor action.\n\nIndustry concerns \u2014 rideshare companies have raised logistical and cost-related questions about monitoring compliance statewide.\n\nCompeting priorities \u2014 with many bills awaiting review, committee time has been limited for non-appropriation measures.\n\nStill, Monmouth County\u2019s support aims to apply pressure and elevate public awareness.\n\nCommissioners Call for Action: Commissioner Dominick \u201cNick\u201d DiRocco said the local resolution is about proactive prevention: \u201cMonmouth County is not immune to the dangers posed by these criminal acts, and our residents are at risk of exploitation,\u201d DiRocco said. \u201cThis training gives local drivers the tools to recognize and report warning signs before a crime occurs.\u201d\n\nCommissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone emphasized the county\u2019s year-round tourism and commuter base: \u201cMonmouth County welcomes thousands of people every day who rely on rideshare services,\u201d Arnone said. \u201cThis bill represents a vital step toward protecting our community and those who visit it.\u201d\n\nThe Board\u2019s resolution in support of S1990 is expected to be introduced at its next meeting, with Commissioners also exploring additional safeguards for local transportation services.\n\nLinking Local, National, and State efforts: Rep. Smith praised the county\u2019s support of the rideshare training bill, noting that local action complements federal strategy. \u201cThis legislation is critical to preventing, identifying, and combating human trafficking on the state level,\u201d Smith said. \u201cRideshare drivers are often unwitting participants in trafficking transport \u2014 giving them awareness training could save lives.\u201d\n\nAs the TVPA marks its silver anniversary, Smith said it\u2019s time to recommit to the promise made in 2000: \u201cWe must act with courage, compassion, and resolve to ensure that freedom is not just a word \u2014 but a lived reality for every human being.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415072"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6981679946184158, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}