SOAR to Health and Wellness Act of 2018
Latest action (31 Dec 2018): Became Public Law No: 115-398.
What this bill does
The SOAR to Health and Wellness Act of 2018, now enacted, officially establishes and expands a program within the Department of Health and Human Services. This program, known as the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training Program, trains healthcare and social service providers. The training aims to equip them to identify potential victims of human trafficking, assist in reporting to law enforcement, facilitate communication with victims, and refer them to appropriate services for coordinated care.
The program's activities will now include engaging stakeholders, developing flexible training modules, providing technical assistance, establishing a method for data collection on victims served, and integrating this training with programs for other types of victims, such as those of sexual assault. This legislation affects healthcare and social service providers who can now receive this specialized training, and by extension, individuals who may be victims of human trafficking.
This bill was introduced in 2017 and was signed into law by the President on December 31, 2018. Its provisions are now in effect and will be implemented through grants awarded by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with authorized appropriations for fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Act of 2018 or the SOAR to Health and Wellness Act of 2018
(Sec. 2) This bill provides statutory authority for and expands the Department of Health and Human Services program known as the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training Program or the SOAR to Health and Wellness Training Program.
The program trains health care and social service providers to:
• identify potential human trafficking victims,
• work with law enforcement to report and facilitate communication with such victims,
• refer victims to social or victims service agencies or organizations, and
• provide such victims with coordinated care tailored to their circumstances.
The program must include the functions of the training program with the same name that was operating before this bill's enactment and the following initiatives:
Timeline
31 Dec 2018
Became Public Law No: 115-398.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 767 do?
- The SOAR to Health and Wellness Act of 2018, now enacted, officially establishes and expands a program within the Department of Health and Human Services. This program, known as the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training Program, trains healthcare and social service providers. The training aims to equip them to identify potential victims of human trafficking, assist in reporting to law enforcement, facilitate communication with victims, and refer them to appropriate services for coordinated care. The program's activities will now include engaging stakeholders, developing flexible training modules, providing technical assistance, establishing a method for data collection on victims served, and integrating this training with programs for other types of victims, such as those of sexual assault. This legislation affects healthcare and social service providers who can now receive this specialized training, and by extension, individuals who may be victims of human trafficking. This bill was introduced in 2017 and was signed into law by the President on December 31, 2018. Its provisions are now in effect and will be implemented through grants awarded by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with authorized appropriations for fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
- Has H.R. 767 become law?
- Yes. H.R. 767 has been enacted. Status last updated 31 Dec 2018.
- Who sponsored H.R. 767?
- H.R. 767 was sponsored by Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] (D-TN), with 11 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 767?
- Became Public Law No: 115-398. (31 Dec 2018).
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