{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-sex-trafficking-prevention-legislation-becomes-law", "Reichert Sex Trafficking Prevention Legislation Becomes Law", "2014-10-02", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dave Reichert", "R000578", "reichert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 This week, the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (H.R. 4980) was signed into law by President Obama. This bipartisan legislation includes bills from Rep. Dave Reichert (WA-8) to prevent the sex trafficking of youth in foster care (H.R. 4058) and to ensure proper child support payments even when a parent lives abroad (H.R. 1896).\nReichert said, \u201cThis legislation becoming law is a victory for American children.\u00a0 We have committed to protecting foster kids and we are responsible for their safety and success, yet for too long we have not lived up to that that promise. In 33 years of law enforcement, I saw all too often the tragic circumstances these children could end up in if not properly taken care of.\u00a0 Now, this new law will help protect children from the horrors of sex trafficking and give them opportunities to lead more normal and successful lives.\u201d\nReal-life survivor and Rights4Girls Advocate \"T\" Ortiz Walker Pettigrew said, \"The signing of H.R. 4980 into law is more than a dream come true. As an advocate pushing for the public to recognize these issues, it is with great admiration that I thank those who helped make this law a reality. It will help so many young people, families, and social systems tp practically address the issue of domestic trafficking of this country's already vulnerable populations. Many aspects of this law, including engaging young people as respected members of the planning team for their own lives, will make a world of difference in shaping successful outcomes. Sharing my story on a federal level has not been easy, but watching those of power take action to make a difference in the lives of others made it all worth it.\"\n\u201cAt Treehouse, we are whole-heartedly committed to transforming the lives of kids in foster care by helping them experience a real childhood, and providing them the support that all kids need to graduate from high school with a plan for their future. We were thrilled to join Congressman Reichert in support of this important legislation to empower youth to participate in the planning of their transition from foster care. We as a community have a special responsibility to kids in care, and by enabling them to define their own course and develop the self-determination and problem-solving skills needed to be self-sufficient young adults, we are helping to build their future prospects and avoid tragic outcomes like sex trafficking,\u201d stated Janis Avery, Treehouse CEO.\u00a0\n\u201cThe Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act will\u00a0help ensure children in foster care find the permanent, loving families they deserve and promote adoptions from foster care.\u00a0The legislation addresses sex trafficking of youth in foster care\u00a0and demonstrates that Congress has made it a priority to protect the many children at risk of being trafficked every year in the United States.\u00a0The Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act will empower children and families by helping foster children lead normal lives, giving older foster youth more control over their future, and increasing the likelihood that children find permanent families rather than\u00a0languishing in foster care,\" said First Focus Campaign for Children president Bruce Lesley.\u00a0\nJim Theofelis, Founder and Executive Director of the Mockingbird Society said, \u201cAt The Mockingbird Society, we work with young people to change policies and perceptions that stand in the way of every child having a safe, stable home. This legislation is an important step towards ensuring our government policies treat young people involved in sex trafficking as survivors instead of criminals, providing the support necessary to keep them out or get them out of dangerous situations. I want to thank Congressman Reichert for his leadership on this issue and for always welcoming the input of our young people.\u201d\n\u201cWe must do everything possible to ensure young people in the child welfare system who have also faced the horrors of trafficking are supported to heal and prepare for the future; we owe them that. Congressman Reichert\u2019s leadership and support of this issue is critical,\u201d said Dr. Melinda Giovengo, Executive Director of YouthCare, a Seattle-based organization providing essential services to runaway, homeless, and sexually exploited youth and young adults. \u201cWe see too many youth walk through our doors having had their childhoods stolen away. We know that youth on the run from care are incredibly vulnerable to sexual exploitation. We also know the future is still out ahead for each of them. We owe youth in young adults in this situation the opportunity to discover their potential and thrive in life. The improvements of HR 4980 will go a long way to keeping our community\u2019s children safe and moving forward.\u201d\nThe new law will specifically act to prevent sex trafficking by:\n Requiring state child welfare agencies to identify, document, and determine appropriate services for children in foster care or who are otherwise involved in the child welfare system who are victims of child sex trafficking or at risk of becoming victims.\n  Requiring state child welfare agencies to promote \"normalcy\" for youth in foster care allowing them to more easily participate in age appropriate social, scholastic and enrichment activities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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": ["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-sex-trafficking-prevention-legislation-becomes-law"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.817493000999093, "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"}