Skip to content

Detroit Free Press: Trafficking bill passes with Sen. Peters' measure

WASHINGTON – A measure to create a program to train health care workers to recognize victims of human trafficking proposed by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters was included in legislation that received final passage in Congress today.

The U.S. House voted 420-3 today on a wide-ranging piece of human trafficking legislation that included the proposal for a pilot program to train health care workers proposed by Peters, D-Mich., and U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La.

Their measure calls for the federal government to contract with a medical school to train health care professions to recognize and respond to the needs of trafficking victims and disseminate those methods to other providers.

Human trafficking is the coercion and abuse of people for purposes of forced labor, prostitution or sexual exploitation.

"Human trafficking is a horrendous crime that is happening in communities across Michigan and the country. Doctors and nurses are in a unique position to help victims of trafficking who seek medical attention and training medical professionals to recognize the signs of trafficking will help rescue victims and allow them to rebuild their lives," Peters said.

The bill, which cleared the Senate last month, now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature, which is expected.