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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 5, 2024 01:44 PM |
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| From: | Representative Regina G. Young and Rep. Eric R. Nelson, Rep. Robert Leadbeter, Rep. Tarik Khan |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Human Trafficking Awareness Training |
| Please join us in helping to combat the growing problem of sex trafficking by partnering with our restaurant and lodging industry to implement required awareness training for hotel employees. Our legislation has been developed with best practices from our Pennsylvania employers and is in concert with the industry’s national training model to help combat sex crime. Unfortunately, sex trafficking is growing nationwide. Our legislation increases awareness for hotel employees and empowers them to act using resources designed to combat this terrible industry. Hotels, motels, and other short-term lodging establishments shall provide human trafficking awareness training to their employees. Training records would kept by the employer and made available upon request to law enforcement or Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. In 2021, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 192 cases of human trafficking in Pennsylvania, of which, 315 victims were involved. One of the common venues identified for human trafficking, specifically sex trafficking, was hotels, motels and short-term lodging rentals. Human trafficking is an evil practice that happens across the country, including Pennsylvania. Due to their anonymous and low-risk nature, hotels and motels are often prime locations used for exploitation. To that end, hotel associates are uniquely situated to identify and report suspicious activity. Our legislation would require that hotel and motel associates be trained to understand what human trafficking is, how to identify it, and what steps to take if suspected trafficking is taking place. Training curriculums recognize existing national training programs, many of which are no cost to employers. Please join us in supporting this best practice developed by experts in the industry to help their employees identify and act to protect those currently being victimized by sex trafficking. |
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Introduced as HB2455