WASHINGTON, DC – On December 12, 2018, Utah Congressman John Curtis introduced H.R. 7271, the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking Act, the companion bill to Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)’s legislation. This historic bill will create a Public-Private Advisory Council to provide a direct line to federal government agencies that will streamline unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and empower nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations in the fight against human trafficking.

(Image: curtis.house.gov)

“Organizations like Utah’s Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) have made a tremendous impact in fighting human trafficking across the world. We can help them do more,” said Curtis. “With better coordination and partnership with federal government agencies, imagine what they can accomplish.

This legislation is a historic step in our journey to end human trafficking and I thank Senator Hatch for leading the charge.”

“This Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council allows government agencies to draw from the unique knowledge and experience of groups like O.U.R., allowing us to leverage government resources to fight human trafficking around the world,” Hatch said.

(Image: Francisco Kjolseth | Salt Lake Tribune) Tim Ballard, Founder and CEO of Operation Underground Railroad and Senator Hatch met over three years ago to discuss the possibilities of collaboration between NGOs and the federal government. In June of 2017, new legislation was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee to move forward.

The Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council will help fight human trafficking by:

• Serving as a point of contact for federal agencies in coordination with nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) fighting human trafficking for input on programming and policies related to their efforts.
• Consisting of eight to fourteen representatives from NGOs and nonprofit groups that have significant knowledge and experience in fighting human trafficking, or the rehabilitation and aftercare of human trafficking victims and survivors.
• Formulating assessments and recommendations to ensure that the policy and programming efforts of the Federal government conform to the best practices in the field of combatting human trafficking, and the rehabilitation and aftercare of survivors.
• Submitting a report to Congressional Committees with recommendations for continued improvement.

We at Operation Underground Railroad are grateful for this step forward. We will continue to inspire all forces of good to unite so we can rescue the millions of children from sexual exploitation.