(WASHINGTON DC) - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to combat human trafficking.

House Resolution 4307, the bipartisan Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, was co-sponsored by Michigan Republican Congressman Tim Walberg and Democratic Congresswoman Lucy McBath of Georgia.

The act establishes guidelines to ensure Department of Labor staff are equipped with sufficient tools and resources to report labor or sexual exploitation. It also establishes a clear framework for DOL employees to assist law enforcement in preventing labor or sexual exploitation.

In a statement, Walberg says human trafficking is an evil practice that happens in our backyards. He says in his time on the Education and Workforce Committee, he has realized that Department of Labor employees have a front line view to detect patterns of human trafficking and labor exploitation.

Walberg says by turning DOL employees into an early warning system against human trafficking we can hold traffickers accountable and protect those who are most vulnerable.