2021 -- S 0408

========

LC001617

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- HOTELS

     

     Introduced By: Senators Quezada, Lawson, Kallman, and Murray

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Title 5 of the General Laws entitled "BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS"

2

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

3

CHAPTER 14.1

4

THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION ACT

5

     5-14.1-1. Short Title.

6

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Human Trafficking Prevention Act".

7

     5-14.1-2. Definitions.

8

     (a) "Hotel" means any establishment defined in § 5-14-3.

9

     (b) "Human trafficking" means the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of

10

labor or commercial sex act as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 7102.

11

     (c) "Human trafficking awareness training" means a training that includes the following

12

components:

13

     (1) The definition of human trafficking and commercial exploitation of children;

14

     (2) Guidance on how to identify individuals at risk for trafficking;

15

     (3) Guidance on how to identify the signs of trafficking and individuals potentially engaged

16

in the act of trafficking;

17

     (4) Differences between labor and sex trafficking, specific to the hotel sector;

18

     (5) Guidance on the role of hospitality employees in reporting and responding to this issue;

19

and

 

1

     (6) The contact information for the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free number

2

and text line or contact information for the local law enforcement.

3

     (d) "Local law enforcement" means the local police department or Rhode Island state

4

police.

5

     5-14.1-3. Posting Requirements.

6

     Every operator of a hotel shall post in a location conspicuous to employees human

7

trafficking awareness signage, printed in an easily legible font in English and any other language

8

spoken by at least ten percent (10%) of the employees.

9

     5-14.1-4. Policies and procedures for identifying and reporting.

10

     Every operator of a hotel shall implement procedures for the reporting of suspected human

11

trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline or to local law enforcement and shall

12

implement a human trafficking prevention policy which shall apply to all employees, which shall

13

include human trafficking awareness training.

14

     5-14.1-5. Recognition of human trafficking prevention efforts.

15

     (a) An owner, operator or employee of a hotel who complies in good faith with this section

16

shall not be liable for any act or omission arising out of or related to human trafficking committed

17

by a third-party unless the owner, operator or employee of the hotel knowingly assists the

18

commission of human trafficking.

19

     (b) For the purposes of this chapter, a good faith effort means that the hotel:

20

     (1) Maintained signage as required by this chapter; and

21

     (2) Implemented a human trafficking awareness prevention policy as required by this

22

chapter; and

23

     (3) Conducted a training on human trafficking awareness in the twelve (12) months prior

24

to an alleged incident.

25

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2022.

========

LC001617

========

 

LC001617 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- HOTELS

***

1

     This act would require all hotels to make a good faith effort to post human trafficking

2

awareness signage and provide all employees with human trafficking awareness training.

3

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2022.

========

LC001617

========

 

LC001617 - Page 3 of 3