WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) & Bill Keating (MA-9) today introduced the End Banking for Human Traffickers Act of 2024. This bipartisan legislation would help law enforcement and financial institutions identify and report suspected human traffickers so they can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The End Banking for Human Traffickers Act would:

• Direct federal banking regulators to work with law enforcement and financial institutions to combat the use of the financial system for human trafficking.
• Increase collaboration between the private sector, law enforcement, and experts in financial crimes.
• Require the Financial Institutions Examination Council to review and enhance training and examination procedures to improve the capabilities of anti-money laundering and other efforts to detect financial transactions related to human trafficking.
• Require the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to analyze current United States Government and financial institution anti-money laundering efforts and develop recommendations for Congress and regulators that would strengthen anti-money laundering programs to better target and combat human trafficking.

“As Human Trafficking Prevention Month comes to a close, we must remain committed to our duty to disrupt and end this despicable crime which devastates the lives of tens of millions around the world, including, unfortunately, in the United States,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Traffickers utilize the services of banks, credit card companies, and money transfer businesses around the world to launder illegal funds. Our bipartisan End Banking for Human Traffickers Act would strengthen collaborative efforts to keep these criminals from being able to use the global financial apparatus for their heinous activities. I am grateful for Representative Keating’s partnership in this critical effort to both halt traffickers’ access to financial institutions and the ability to exploit their victims.”

“Human Trafficking is a devastating criminal enterprise that destroys the lives of all involved and preys upon those most vulnerable,” said Congressman Keating. “The End Banking for Human Traffickers Act is vital legislation which will close loopholes and direct regulators to work with law enforcement to combat the use of the financial system by human traffickers.”

Read the text of the bill here.