OTIP aims to develop a culture of data-informed policy. Policy resources include information memoranda, fact sheets, program instruction, and other policy documents on a variety of topics ranging from clarification of legislation and its impact on programs, to systemic issues that affect populations at risk of trafficking, to expanded details of OTIP programs and services.
Policy Documents
- Fact Sheets (FS) provide brief information on programs, services, and special topics
- Information Memorandum (IM) provide basic information to stakeholders and the public about OTIP program activities, initiatives, partnerships with other agencies, research findings, and special topics of interest
- Program Instruction (PI) provide information to grantees and other stakeholders on policies, procedures, and processes for policy and program implementation
- Questions and Answers (QA) provide questions and answers on OTIP program policies
- Federal Register Notices are published in the Federal Register, providing information or invite comment on issues under consideration
Recent Policy Documents
The Federal Requirements for Reporting and Responding to Human Trafficking of Children Program Instruction provides guidance on federal requirements for reporting and responding to concerns of potential human trafficking of children.
The Responses to Request for Information on Forced Labor in Healthcare Supply Chains Information Memorandum (IM) is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implementation of the National Action Plan’s call “to develop initiatives to provide information about forced labor in product supply chains and ventures…” (Priority Action 1.3.2) and to “provide a series of information briefs on how human trafficking impacts health and human service systems, including impact on health sector procurement” (Priority Action 4.4.2).
The Trafficking in Persons for Organ Removal Information Memorandum provides information on the nature and scope of the issue and multilateral guidance for prevention and response.
The Victim Determinations for U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents who have Experienced Human Trafficking Information Memorandum provides U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent residents who have experienced human trafficking with essential information and resources to obtain human trafficking determinations, as well as access to support services.
The Dear Colleague Letter: Improving Health Outcomes for Eligible Children and Youth Enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program announces new guidance, presented in the form of a State Health Official letter titled Best Practices for Adhering to Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) Requirements. The guidance is designed to assist states in enhancing the implementation of EPSDT requirements, with the aim of improving health outcomes for children and youth enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.
This Program Instruction (PI) provides policy guidance and information on the use of human trafficking screening tools.
Leveraging Criminal Record Relief to Improve Public Health Outcomes for Individuals Who Have Experienced Trafficking Information Memorandum
Labor Trafficking and Related Exploitation in the Global Care Chain Information Memorandum
Federal Authorities Related to Demand for Human Trafficking Information Memorandum
This program instruction includes guidance and resources for OTIP award recipients to enhance trauma-informed staff and volunteer engagement, focusing on— involving experts with lived experience, supporting staff retention and development, providing staff and volunteers with training and resources, strengthening trauma-informed leadership and management, mitigating vicarious trauma, and equitable compensation for staff and consultants.
Federal Laws on Human Trafficking
Legislation
- Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-386 (PDF))*
- Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-21 (PDF))
- Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-193 (PDF))*
- Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-164 (PDF))*
- William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-457 (PDF))*
- National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (P.L. 112-239 (PDF))*
- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-4 (PDF))*
- Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-183 (PDF))*
- Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (P.L. 114-22 (PDF))*
- Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-164 (PDF))
- Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-392 (PDF))
- Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-393 (PDF))*
- SOAR to Health and Wellness Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-398 (PDF))*
- Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-425 (PDF))*
- Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-427 (PDF))
(* impacts HHS programs)