To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training Program.

118th Congress Introduced by Buddy Carter and 3 co-sponsors

Extends the SOAR to Health and Wellness program authorization through FY2029; no new funding, but preserves training for providers to identify and assist trafficking survivors.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Purpose

H.R. 7224 reauthorizes the "Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness" training program by extending the statutory authorization period for the program through fiscal year (FY) 2029. The SOAR program provides training and capacity-building to help health care and social service providers identify and respond to persons who have experienced human trafficking.

Key provision

Amends Section 1254(h) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d–54(h)) by striking “fiscal years 2020 through 2024” and inserting “fiscal years 2025 through 2029.”

No other programmatic changes are made; the bill simply extends the authorization window for five additional fiscal years.

Background and need

The SOAR Act was originally enacted in 2018 (Public Law 115–398) to strengthen local capacity to recognize and assist trafficking survivors who interact with medical or social service systems.

The training targets clinicians and other front-line providers who may encounter victims during or after exploitation.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiaries: health care providers, social service professionals, community organizations, and the communities they serve.

Indirect beneficiaries: individuals who have experienced human trafficking, through improved identification, referral, and care.

Federal implementing agencies: components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that administer the SOAR program under the Public Health Service Act.

Funding and budgetary effects

The committee report states H.R. 7224 would result in no new or increased budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures. The bill extends the authorization but does not itself appropriate additional funds.

A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate was not available at the time the committee report was filed.

Procedural history and current status

Introduced in the House: February 5, 2024 (sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen; cosponsors include Ann Wagner, Tony Cárdenas, Earl L. “Buddy” Carter).

Referred to House Energy and Commerce; Subcommittee on Health.

Subcommittee hearing: February 14, 2024.

Markup votes: Subcommittee forwarded bill March 12, 2024 (24–0); full committee ordered reported March 20, 2024 (45–0).

House passage: Agreed to under suspension of the rules by voice vote on December 16, 2024.

Senate: Received and read twice; referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on December 17, 2024.

Report: House Committee on Energy and Commerce filed H. Rept. 118‑519 (May 22, 2024).

Impact in brief

H.R. 7224 maintains the SOAR training program’s statutory authorization through FY2029, supporting continued training and local capacity-building for professionals who may encounter trafficking survivors. The bill does not change program structure or authorize specific new funding in the statutory text; further appropriations would be required to finance program activities.

Bill