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The Enduring Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act would correct a technical issue in existing law and make permanent a criminal penalty that was set to expire. Under current law, courts are required to impose a $5,000 special assessment on individuals convicted of certain federal offenses related to human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and abuse. This assessment was originally established in 2015 but was subject to a sunset provision, meaning it would have expired. The bill would remove this sunset date and ensure the penalty remains in effect indefinitely.
The funds collected from these criminal assessments are deposited into the Department of Justice's Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund. Since the fund's creation, it has accumulated more than $100 million in total deposits. These funds are used to provide restorative services to trafficking survivors and to support law enforcement agencies in conducting anti-trafficking operations. By making this penalty permanent, the bill would ensure a continuous and reliable source of funding for victim assistance programs.
The bill passed the Senate in December 2025 with bipartisan support and is now being considered by the House of Representatives. If enacted, it would have no direct impact on everyday citizens except those convicted of trafficking-related offenses, who would continue to pay the $5,000 assessment. The primary effect would be to guarantee ongoing federal funding for programs that help trafficking survivors recover and rebuild their lives.
AI-generated summary
Received in the House.
Dec 11, 2025
Held at the desk.
Dec 11, 2025
Received in the House.
Dec 11, 2025
Held at the desk.
Dec 11, 2025
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Jul 31, 2025
No CBO cost estimate has been published for this bill.
