Committee advances bill to require human‑trafficking training for hotel and short‑term rental frontline staff

A sponsor presented Senate Bill 570 to a legislative committee as a targeted measure to require frontline hospitality workers to receive training to identify and report signs of human trafficking. The sponsor said the bill was drafted in coordination with the hotel and short‑term rental industries and the Attorney General’s office and would require new frontline employees to be trained within 60 days of hire.

The sponsor described the program as ‘‘limited to the hotel, motel and short term rental association’’ and said the requirement can be met by employer or CJCC‑developed curriculum. "This actually supports [existing brand training]; it is a 100% what you said, it's the bad actors," the sponsor said, noting the measure aims to bring smaller, independent operators up to the same level of training as major brands.

Committee members complimented the bill’s purpose and asked about overlaps with existing industry training; the sponsor and committee said the bill does not negate brand programs. After discussion the committee moved the committee substitute forward by voice vote and sent SB570 to the rules calendar.

The committee approved the substitute for SB570 and advanced the bill to rules; the measure will next be considered on the rules calendar before possible floor action.