The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 116 seeks to strengthen the prevention of human trafficking in Connecticut by imposing new requirements on operators of hotels, motels, inns, and similar lodging establishments. Effective October 1, 2026, the bill mandates that the Commissioner of Revenue Services disclose the names and addresses of lodging operators who remit use tax to the Commissioner of Consumer Protection. It also requires these operators to maintain detailed records of guest transactions for a minimum of six months and to provide training for all employees on recognizing potential victims of human trafficking at the time of hire, along with ongoing awareness campaigns. Operators must certify annually that their employees have received the necessary training.

In addition to these requirements, the bill introduces civil penalties of $5,000 for violations related to record-keeping and training, and it prohibits lodging operators from offering financial discounts based on hourly rates for stays of twelve hours or less, with similar penalties for non-compliance. The Commissioner of Consumer Protection is granted the authority to audit and inspect records to ensure adherence to these provisions. The bill also updates existing statutes by repealing and substituting certain sections related to lodging establishments and their responsibilities in combating human trafficking, thereby enhancing accountability and oversight within the industry.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 44-4, 44-5, 44-6, 54-234a