§570. Training for Department personnel to identify human trafficking
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after October 20, 2026, the Secretary of Labor shall implement a program to provide the training and periodic continuing education described in subsection (b) to employees of the Department of Labor whom the Secretary determines should receive such training or education based on their official duties. In making such determination with respect to employees of the Wage and Hour Division, the Secretary shall consider the training and education needs of such employees operating in a State with a significant increase in oppressive child labor (as defined in section 203(l) of this title.
(b) Training and continuing education described
The training and continuing education provided under the program referred to in subsection (a)—
(1) may be conducted through in-class or virtual learning capabilities; and
(2) shall include—
(A) training or continuing education that—
(i) is most appropriate for the particular location or professional environment in which the employees receiving such training or continuing education perform their official duties;
(ii) covers topics determined by the Secretary of Labor to appropriately reflect current trends and best practices for such location or environment; and
(iii) includes—
(I) the provision of current information on matters related to the detection of human trafficking to the extent relevant to the official duties of such employees, and consistent with privacy laws;
(II) methods for identifying suspected victims of human trafficking and parties who may be suspected of the trafficking activity; and
(III) a clear course of action for referring potential cases of human trafficking to the Department of Justice and other appropriate authorities, in accordance with best practices for protecting the rights of victims of human trafficking, including appropriate collaboration with victim advocacy organizations, Federal agencies, and State and local officials; and
(B) an evaluation of the training or continuing education by such employees after the completion of such training or education.
( Pub. L. 119-131, § 3 , Oct. 20, 2026 , 140 Stat. 1091 .)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Reports to Congress
Pub. L. 119-131, § 4, Oct. 20, 2026, 140 Stat. 1092, provided that:
“(1) the training and continuing education provided under the program for the preceding year, including—
“(A) an evaluation (including the overall effectiveness) of such training and continuing education; and
“(B) the number of individuals who have completed such training or continuing education; and
“(2) the number of cases related to the detection of human trafficking, which were referred to the Department of Justice and other appropriate authorities during the preceding year by the Department of Labor, and the processes used by the Department of Labor to accurately measure and track the response of the Department of Justice and other appropriate authorities to such cases.”
Definition of Human Trafficking
Pub. L. 119-131, § 2, Oct. 20, 2026, 140 Stat. 1091, provided that:
“In this Act [enacting this section and provisions set out as a note under this section], the term ‘human trafficking’ means any act or practice described in paragraph (11) of section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102).”