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S. 178, Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 1 (March 9, 2015)

handle is hein.congrec/cbo2088 and id is 1 raw text is: CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE 0 COST ESTIMATE March 9, 2015 S. 178 Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 As reported by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on March 2, 2015 CBO estimates that implementing S. 178 would cost about $1 million in fiscal year 2016 and less than $500,000 each year thereafter, from appropriated funds. In addition, CBO estimates that enacting S. 178 would increase direct spending by $2 million over the 2015-2025 period and could also affect revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. S. 178 contains many provisions that aim to prevent human trafficking and assist victims of such activities. The bill would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to improve current training programs for law enforcement officers and prosecutors who are involved in combatting human trafficking and to prepare an annual report on the enforcement of sex trafficking laws by states. Based on the costs of similar activities, we estimate that those provisions would cost about $1 million in fiscal year 2016 and less than $500,000 annually thereafter, assuming the availability of appropriated funds. The bill would direct federal courts to impose a $5,000 assessment on non-indigent persons convicted of certain offenses involving sexual abuse or human trafficking. Collections of the assessments would be classified in the budget as revenues and deposited into a new fund, the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund, and spent by DOJ-without further appropriation action-on programs to assist trafficking victims. CBO estimates that all revenues from the new assessment would be spent on programs for trafficking victims and, thus, enacting this provision would have no significant net effect on the deficit over the next 10 years. S. 178 would make lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who are victims of severe forms of trafficking eligible for federal benefits to the same extent as refugees. Notably, LPR trafficking victims who are otherwise eligible would no longer face a waiting period before they could receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Based on information from DOJ about noncitizens who access services for victims of trafficking, CBO expects that under S. 178, a few dozen LPRs would begin receiving SNAP and SSI benefits a few years earlier than they would under current law. CBO estimates that enacting S. 178 would increase direct spending for

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