Bill · H.R. 7234· House(119-HR-7234)
Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/22/2026
- Last activity
- 1/23/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- Sponsored by
- David Valadao
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act of 2026," directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a Blue Campaign Certification Program. The program aims to encourage employers in specific industries to have their employees undergo training to recognize and respond to suspected human trafficking. Eligible employers who complete the process will receive a certificate of completion that they can display for one year. The Secretary will solicit applications annually and review them in consultation with the Director of Homeland Security Investigations. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Secretary to charge application fees to cover the costs of the program.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+2
Increased recognition of human trafficking can better protect vulnerable low-income individuals from exploitation.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?+2
Increased awareness of human trafficking may provide better protection for vulnerable populations often targeted by traffickers.
Does this tighten control of the border?+2
Increasing awareness of human trafficking helps strengthen overall domestic security efforts managed by Homeland Security.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-1
Employers are required to pay a fee to apply for the certification program.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-1
The bill imposes a reasonable application fee on employers to cover program costs.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Awareness and Response: The program encourages employers in industries with a high prevalence of human trafficking to provide training so employees can recognize and respond to suspected human trafficking (Section 2, subsection a and subsection g-1).
-
Recognition of Employer Efforts: Eligible employers can receive a certificate of completion to show they have provided training, and their recognition will be published in the Federal Register (Section 2, subsection a and subsection c).
-
Expert Coordination: The bill increases coordination between the Blue Campaign and experts from the private sector, academic institutions, and covered industries (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Financial Burden on Employers: The Secretary is authorized to establish a reasonable fee that employers must pay when submitting applications for the certification (Section 2, subsection f).
-
Restrictions on Displaying Certification: Employers are prohibited from displaying the certification if it creates a false impression that they completed the program or received a certificate for a year in which they did not actually receive one (Section 2, subsection d).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Hispanic Americans+2Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Urban Residents+1Good For Business Owners-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+2Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1
- 8/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/23/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 1/22/2026
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York