On September 29, 2014, President Obama signed into law the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (H.R. 4980). This new law takes important steps forward in preventing vulnerable foster youth from becoming victims of trafficking as well as protecting youth whom have become victims. Council members discussed the vulnerability of foster youth in February 2012 and included the protection of vulnerable foster youth in their Five Ideas, the very first set of priorities the Council addressed. Council members continued this dialogue by unpacking more ideas in their priorities regarding Vulnerability and Normalcy.

The new law includes the following priorities shared by the members of the Council:

• Provide young people in foster care with a right to know their rights; make sure foster youth know their rights and resources.
• Encourage states to adopt a Reasonable and Prudent Parent standard.
• Provide foster youth with easier access to opportunities and activities that non-foster youth have access to.

Throughout October 2014, Council members developed priorities regarding the implementation of the new law. On November 25, 2014, Council members shared their priorities regarding implementation of the new law with the Administration for Children and Families.