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MISSING CHILDREN'S ASSISTANCE ACT AMENDMENT

January 26, 2015
Floor Statements

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 246, a bill to improve the response to victims of child sex trafficking.

The bipartisan bill, sponsored by the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty), would amend the Missing Children's Assistance Act by adding the term ``child sex trafficking'' to the list of items which may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline.

Under the act, the center operates the CyberTipline to allow online users and electronic service providers a way of reporting Internet-related child sexual exploitation, including child prostitution.

The term ``trafficking'' more accurately describes the circumstances by which children are sexually exploited and reinforces the notion that they are victims, not criminals. Adding trafficking to the list of items that may be reported to the center will not only help the center continue its outstanding work of finding and helping victims, but it will also help experts in the field of missing and exploited children better understand the nature and extent of the problem.

I am grateful to the gentlewoman from Ohio for introducing this important legislation, and I appreciate her partnership with the majority, including the chairman of the full Committee on Education and the Workforce, Chairman Kline; the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg); and other sponsors.

I urge my colleagues to support the legislation

Issues:Committee on Education and WorkforceEducation