Federal law requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support activities under the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, including coordination with other federal agencies regarding policies on human trafficking through the Senior Policy Operating Group (22 U.S.C. 7103). OTIP issues guidance to funding recipients and other partners on new administrative priorities, legislation, regulations, and policies; engages in White House-led policy initiatives and interagency coordination; and answers inquiries from Congress and other federal oversight agencies through the ACF Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget.
OTIP Policy Resources
Information Memoranda
- OTIP-IM-2025-02 - Information Memorandum: Trafficking in Persons for Organ Removal
Information Memorandum | Issue Date: 1/17/25 | Status: No Updates - OTIP-IM-2025-01 - Information Memorandum: Victim Determinations for U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents who have Experienced Human Trafficking
Information Memorandum | Issue Date: 1/17/25 | Status: No Updates - OTIP-IM-24-01 - Information Memorandum: Federal Authorities Related to Demand for Human Trafficking
Information Memorandum | Issue Date: 11/5/24 | Status: No Updates - OTIP-IM-21-02 - Information Memorandum: Promoting Housing Access for Survivors of Human Trafficking through Emergency Housing Vouchers
Information Memorandum | Issue Date: 7/23/21 | Status: No Updates - OTIP-IM-19-01.01 - Information Memorandum: Definitions and Principles of Human Trafficking Prevention
Information Memorandum | Issue Date: 4/24/19 | Status: No Updates
Practice Guides
- OTIP Award Program Glossary
Practice Guide | Issue Date: 2/23/24 | Status: No Updates - How-To Guide: Non-Competing Continuation
Practice Guide | Issue Date: 1/19/24 | Status: No Updates - How-To Guide: No-Cost Extension Request
Practice Guide | Issue Date: 1/19/24 | Status: No Updates - How-To Guide: Change of Authorizing Official Principal Investigator, or Program Director
Practice Guide | Issue Date: 1/19/24 | Status: No Updates - How-to Guide: Carryover Request
Practice Guide | Issue Date: 1/19/24 | Status: No Updates - How-to Guide: Budget Revision Request
Practice Guide | Issue Date: 1/18/24 | Status: No Updates - Grant Terminology Changes
Practice Guide | Issue Date: 8/16/21 | Status: No Updates
Policy Guidances
- Dear Colleague Letter: Improving Health Outcomes for Eligible Children and Youth Enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program
Policy Guidance | Issue Date: 1/16/25 | Status: No Updates - Innovative Solutions to Expand Housing Options for Survivors of Human Trafficking
Policy Guidance | Issue Date: 1/6/21 | Status: No Updates
Program Instructions
- OTIP-IM-2024-03 - Program Instruction: Human Trafficking Screening Tools
Program Instruction | Issue Date: 12/12/24 | Status: No Updates - OTIP-PI-2024-02 - Program Instruction: Performance Reporting, Data Collection, and Privacy Protections
Program Instruction | Issue Date: 6/23/24 | Status: No Updates - OTIP-PI-2025-02 - Program Instruction: Prohibition on Inclusion of Adverse Information on Consumer Reporting in Cases of Human Trafficking
Program Instruction | Issue Date: 9/16/22 | Status: Updated 1/17/25 - OTIP-PI-20-01 - Program Instruction: Trafficking Victim Assistance Program Eligibility in Region 9
Program Instruction | Issue Date: 7/10/20 | Status: No Updates
Federal Human Trafficking Legislation Authorizing HHS Anti-Trafficking Efforts
January 5, 2023
This Trafficking Victims Prevention Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) increased privacy and confidentiality requirements for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) anti-trafficking programs and reauthorized some HHS anti-trafficking program appropriations through 2027.
January 5, 2023
This TVPRA added “human trafficking” to the definition of “child abuse and neglect” and “sexual abuse” under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) and directs all federal agencies, including HHS, to establish anti-trafficking policies and training for their employees. The legislation also reauthorized some HHS anti-trafficking program appropriations through 2028.
December 27, 2022
This law adds posting requirements for the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
October 17, 2022
This law amended the TVPRA to require that, upon receipt of an office of inspector general report substantiating an allegation a federal funding recipient or subrecipient engaged in human trafficking, the agency must refer the matter to the agency suspension and debarment office. Previously, referral was optional.
December 27, 2021
Under this law a consumer reporting agency may not furnish a consumer report containing any adverse item of information concerning a consumer that resulted from a severe form of trafficking in persons or sex sex trafficking if the consumer has provided trafficking documentation to the consumer reporting agency. OTIP authorized its award recipients to issue documentation required for individuals to apply for relief under 12 C.F.R. 1022.142.
January 9, 2019
This TVPRA prohibited federal funding recipients and subrecipients from charging placement or recruitment fees.
January 8, 2019
This TVPRA authorized the Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education Demonstration Program and reauthorized some HHS anti-trafficking program appropriations through 2021.
December 31, 2018
This law established the SOAR to Health and Wellness Program. Subsequently, OTIP developed the SOAR National Training Program and the SOAR Training Demonstration Program.
December 21, 2018
This TVPRA reauthorized some HHS anti-trafficking program appropriations through 2021.
May 29, 2015
The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) authorized the National Human Trafficking Hotline and added “sex trafficking” to the definition of “child abuse and neglect” and “sexual abuse” under the CAPTA. This law also added requirements for any state receiving a grant under CAPTA section 106 to include an assurance that the state has in effect and is enforcing a law or operating a statewide program that includes provisions for mandatory reporting and identification and assessment of and training on sex trafficking in the plan for its child protective services system.
September 29, 2014
This law established the National Advisory Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth in the United States. The law also requires State and Tribal title IV-E agencies to implement policies and procedures for identifying, documenting, and determining appropriate services for certain children who have experienced or are at risk of sex trafficking and establish reporting and protocol requirements for addressing sex trafficking of children.
March 7, 2013
The 2013 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorized HHS anti-trafficking program appropriations at a higher level through 2017.
January 2, 2013
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2013 established procedures and requirements for complying with the TVPRA’s prohibition of human trafficking in government grants and contacts, which are implemented through the Federal Acquisition Regulation 22.17 and 2 C.F.R. 175.
December 9, 2008
The 2008 TVPRA authorized the Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking Program, along with new appropriations, and reauthorized existing HHS anti-trafficking program appropriations at a lower level through 2011. This legislation also established the Child Eligibility process, including interim assistance, added a requirement that federal, state, and local officials notify OTIP within 24 hours of encountering a foreign national child who they suspect is a victim of human trafficking.
January 10, 2006
The 2005 TVPRA reauthorized HHS anti-trafficking program appropriations through 2007.
January 5, 2006
This legislation directed HHS to consult with the Department of Homeland Security, in addition to the Department of Justice, in the Adult Certification (and later, Child Eligibility) process.
December 19, 2003
The 2003 TVPRA expanded HHS services and assistance for foreign nationals who have experienced human trafficking to certain family members and reauthorized HHS anti-trafficking program appropriations at a higher level through 2005. This legislation also prohibited federal funding recipients and subrecipients from engaging in human trafficking, established the Senior Policy Operating Group and its required activities, and established the Attorney General’s Annual Report to Congress on U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons, which includes information on HHS anti-trafficking efforts.
October 28, 2000
The TVPA is a landmark law that established the U.S. Federal approach and legal framework for addressing human trafficking, including the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, of which HHS is a member. The TVPA defined “severe forms of trafficking in persons,” and authorized the Trafficking Victim Protection Program (TVAP), Aspire Program, Adult Certification, the Look Beneath the Surface public awareness and outreach campaign, and data collection and research and evaluation.