In an advocacy and technical assistance capacity, Polaris Project's U.S. Policy Program exists to provide concrete legislative support to federal, state, and local policy-makers.  We provide briefings, feedback on policy proposals, and a selection of policy resources, including:

• Comprehensive Model State Anti-Trafficking Legislation
• Model Local Ordinances on targeted issues
• U.S. Policy Alert and Map - Released Bi-Monthly
• Analyses of state criminal codes with respect to prosecuting human trafficking
• Analyses of proposed state and federal anti-trafficking legislation
• Meetings, trainings, and Q&A sessions with policy-makers
• Rapid response resources developed for State legislators upon request

Federal Legislative Advocacy
Since the launch of our U.S. Policy Program in 2004, Polaris Project has played an active role in supporting the reauthorizations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the central federal legislation on human trafficking.  This work has involved providing legislative recommendations, serving as a technical resource for advocacy organizations, and testifying before Congress.  Our policy advocacy team also works to incorporate anti-trafficking policy language in other relevant federal bills. 

The Action Group to End Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery
Polaris Project is one of the founding core members of the Action Group to End Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery, a coalition of leading anti-trafficking organizations funded by Humanity United and facilitated by The Sheridan Group.

State-level Legislative Advocacy
Polaris Project's U.S. Policy Program is actively engaged on the state policy front on a national scale.  We work in multiple state arenas to strengthen existing laws, encourage increased implementation and utilization of current laws, and pass new anti-trafficking legislation at the state level, where appropriate and necessary.  While our method and level of involvement varies state-by-state, we often work in partnership with local advocacy groups and organizations, local coalitions, and grassroots community volunteers to support a locally-owned and locally-led anti-trafficking legislative approach.  We also advise state legislators and their legislative staff, and we have worked closely on legislative initiatives in over 25 states.