H.R. 4307: Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act
Sponsor
Tim Walberg
Republican · MI-5
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 4, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
Why it matters
The bill would force the Department of Labor to stand up human trafficking detection training within 180 days of enactment and start reporting measurable results to Congress on a yearly schedule.
Congress also builds in oversight. Not later than 1 year after the program is implemented, and annually thereafter, the Department of Labor must report to the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Those reports must include an evaluation of the training's overall effectiveness, the number of individuals who completed it, the number of human trafficking cases the department referred during the preceding year to the Department of Justice and other authorities, and the processes used to measure and track how DOJ and other authorities responded. In plain English: lawmakers want proof that training leads to referrals and that referrals do not disappear into a black hole.
What does H.R. 4307 do?
Training required within 180 days
The Secretary of Labor must implement human trafficking training for Department of Labor employees identified as needing it based on their official duties not later than 180 days after the date of enactment.
Uses existing federal trafficking definition
The bill defines human trafficking as “any act or practice described in paragraph (11) of section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102),” tying the program to an existing federal legal standard.
Special focus on Wage and Hour staff
For Wage and Hour Division employees, the Secretary must consider the training needs of staff operating in a state with a “significant increase in oppressive child labor,” using the definition in section 3(l) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(l)).
Training can be virtual or in-class
The Department of Labor may provide the training through in-class or virtual learning capabilities, and the content must fit the employee's specific location or professional environment while reflecting current trends and best practices.
Mandatory referral and coordination protocols
Training must include methods for identifying suspected victims and suspected traffickers, a clear course of action for referring cases to the Department of Justice and other appropriate authorities, and protocols for working with victim advocacy organizations plus federal, state, and local officials.
Annual congressional reports start 1 year later
Not later than 1 year after implementation, and annually thereafter, the Department of Labor must report to the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the Senate HELP Committee on training effectiveness, the number of individuals trained, the number of cases referred during the preceding year, and how it tracks responses from DOJ and other authorities.
Who benefits from H.R. 4307?
Potential trafficking victims encountered by Labor Department staff
They could be identified sooner because trained Department of Labor employees would learn current detection methods, ways to identify suspected victims, and how to route cases to the Department of Justice and other authorities.
Department of Labor employees with frontline duties
Workers selected by the Secretary of Labor for training would get structured instruction tailored to their specific location or professional environment, with options for in-class or virtual learning and a required evaluation after completion.
Wage and Hour Division employees in high-risk states
Staff operating in a state with a significant increase in oppressive child labor, as defined in 29 U.S.C. 203(l), would get added attention in the training design so they are better equipped to spot trafficking-related warning signs.
Congress and oversight bodies
The House Committee on Education and Workforce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions would receive reports starting not later than 1 year after implementation and every year after that, giving them concrete metrics on completions, referrals, and follow-up tracking.
Who is affected by H.R. 4307?
Secretary of Labor
The Secretary would be responsible for implementing the training within 180 days after enactment, deciding which employees need it based on official duties, and overseeing annual reporting to Congress.
Department of Labor employees selected for training
These employees would be required to complete the human trafficking training or continuing education and evaluate it upon completion.
Department of Justice and other referral authorities
They would likely receive more referrals from the Department of Labor, and the Labor Department would have to report the number of cases referred during the preceding year and describe how it measures and tracks those authorities' responses.
Victim advocacy organizations and state and local officials
The bill requires training on collaboration protocols with victim advocacy organizations and with federal, state, and local officials, which could pull these groups into a more formal response network around Labor Department referrals.
H.R. 4307 Common Questions
How soon would the Labor Department have to start human trafficking training under HR 4307?
The Secretary of Labor must implement the training program within 180 days of enactment under the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act (Section 3).
Does HR 4307 require annual reports on how many trafficking cases the Labor Department referred?
Yes. Starting no later than 1 year after the program begins, H.R. 4307 requires annual reports with the number of trafficking-related cases referred to DOJ and other authorities (Section 4).
Which Labor Department employees would get human trafficking training under the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act?
Training goes to DOL employees the Secretary determines need it based on their official duties, not automatically to every worker, under the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act (Section 3).
Does HR 4307 focus on Wage and Hour Division staff in states with rising oppressive child labor?
Yes. H.R. 4307 says the Secretary must consider the needs of Wage and Hour Division employees working in a State with a significant increase in oppressive child labor (Section 3).
Can Labor Department human trafficking training be done virtually under HR 4307?
Yes. Under H.R. 4307, the training may be provided through in-class or virtual learning formats (Section 3).
What are Labor Department employees taught to do if they suspect human trafficking under HR 4307?
According to H.R. 4307 Section 3, the training must teach how to identify suspected victims and traffickers and provide a clear course of action for referrals to DOJ and other authorities.
Does the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act require continuing education for Labor Department staff?
Yes. The Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act requires training plus periodic continuing education for covered DOL employees (Section 3).
Is Labor Department trafficking training supposed to be tailored to the employee's job location and work setting?
Yes. Under the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, training must be appropriate for the employee's specific location or professional environment and reflect current trends and best practices (Section 3).
Does HR 4307 require protections for victim rights and privacy when trafficking cases are referred?
Yes. H.R. 4307 requires training on detection consistent with privacy laws and on protocols to protect victim rights when cases are referred and coordinated with partners (Section 3).
Does HR 4307 make Labor Department employees evaluate the trafficking training after they complete it?
Yes. According to H.R. 4307 Section 3, employees must complete an evaluation after finishing the training or continuing education.
Based on H.R. 4307 bill text
HR4307 Legislative Journey
Sent to Senate
Mar 4, 2026
Received in the Senate.
House: Vote Held
Mar 3, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2363)
House: Committee Action
Feb 20, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-507.
House: Vote: 36-0
Jan 8, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 0.
House: Committee Action
Jul 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
About the Sponsor
Tim Walberg
Republican, Michigan's 5th congressional district · 19 years in Congress
Committees: Education and Workforce, Natural Resources
View full profile →
Cosponsors (3)
This bill has 3 cosponsors: 2 Democrats, 1 Republican, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 2 states: Georgia, New Jersey.
Committee Sponsors
Education and Workforce Committee
3 of 36 committee members cosponsored
20 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 4307 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Education and Workforce
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Introduced
- Jul 10, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Mar 4, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill page with full text, actions timeline, cosponsors, and current status for the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act.
House Education and Workforce Committee report accompanying H.R. 4307, reported amended on February 20, 2026, after a 36-0 committee vote.
Federal statute defining 'severe forms of trafficking in persons' in paragraph (11) — the legal standard HR 4307 adopts for its training program.
Federal definition of oppressive child labor that HR 4307 references when requiring special attention for Wage and Hour Division staff in high-risk states.
Department of Labor's existing anti-trafficking hub covering enforcement, survivor assistance, and international monitoring — the infrastructure HR 4307 would expand with mandatory training.
Describes WHD's current role detecting trafficking indicators during workplace investigations and referring cases to FBI and U.S. Attorneys — the division HR 4307 singles out for enhanced training.
Department of Justice's main trafficking resource page — DOJ is the primary referral destination for cases the Labor Department identifies under HR 4307's training program.
Committee press release on the House passing the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act by voice vote on March 3, 2026.
Who is lobbying on H.R. 4307?
2 organizations lobbying on this bill
REAL ESTATE ROUNDTABLE | 2 |
UPS (UNITED PARCEL SERVICE) | 1 |
Showing 1-2 of 2 organizations
H.R. 4307 Bill Text
“To direct the Secretary of Labor to train certain employees of Department of Labor how to effectively detect and assist law enforcement in preventing human trafficking during the course of their official duties, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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