The Safe Commercial Routes Act mandates that individuals applying for or renewing a commercial driver license in New Jersey must complete a training course focused on recognizing and reporting suspected human trafficking activities. The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), in consultation with the Commission on Human Trafficking, is responsible for developing and approving this training course, which will be no longer than 30 minutes and can be completed through various methods, including online platforms and employer-administered programs. The course will include information on identifying signs of human trafficking and will be reviewed every two years. Verifiable completion of the training must be submitted electronically to the MVC prior to the issuance or renewal of a commercial driver license.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that individuals who report suspected human trafficking in good faith will not face civil or criminal liability for their reports. The MVC is also required to maintain a list of approved training providers and make training materials available online. Three years after the bill's effective date, the Chief Administrator must submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature detailing compliance rates and stakeholder feedback regarding the training requirement. This initiative aims to equip commercial drivers with the necessary tools to identify and report human trafficking, thereby enhancing public safety and human rights protections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:13-12