BILL NUMBER: S5582
SPONSOR: LANZA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to employee human
trafficking recognition training in gaming facilities
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would necessitate that all casino employees would be required
to complete a human-trafficking recognition training program.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the general business law to include that any estab-
lishment that constitutes a gaming facility must require all employees
to undergo a human-trafficking recognition training program established
or approved by the division of criminal justice services and the office
of temporary and disability assistance in consultation with the New York
State interagency task force on human trafficking. This section speci-
fies the issues the training will address, clarifies when and where such
training shall occur, and requires gaming facilities to certain maintain
records.
Section 2: Establishes the effective date.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
The amended version clarifies that existing programs regarding the
recognition of human trafficking may be approved by the division of
criminal justice services and the office of temporary and disability
assistance in consultation with the New York State interagency task
force on human trafficking. It also creates a timeline for the training
of current and future employees.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Super Bowl is one of the biggest events in the United States to
provide lucrative opportunities for human trafficking. In 2014, 45
people were arrested and 16 juveniles between the ages of 13-17 were
rescued from a child sex trafficking ring at the Super Bowl. With many
new casinos about to be built in New York, there are going to be even
more opportunities for human trafficking crimes to be committed.
Human trafficking is a hidden crime, and the first step to combating it
is to identify victims so they can be rescued and help bring their
perpetrators to justice. While the victims may sometimes be kept behind
locked doors, they are often hidden right in the open, for example,
construction sites, restaurants, elder care centers, nail salons, agri-
cultural fields, and casinos. Traffickers' use of coercion - such as
threats of deportation and harm to the victim or their family members is
so powerful that the victim may be too fearful to accept help. Knowing
indicators of human trafficking and some follow up questions can help
prevent human traffickers from further harming victims. Requiring casino
staff to undergo human-trafficking recognition training will not only
increase awareness on the issue, but will also save lives.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S.4183 - Referred to Consumer Protection
2023: S.4183 - Referred to Consumer Protection
2022: S.4927 - Referred to Consumer Protection
2021: S.4927 - Referred to Consumer Protection
2020: 5.2732 - Referred to Consumer Protection/ A.8178 Referred to
Economic Development
2019: S.2732 - Referred to Consumer Protection/ A.8178 Referred to
Economic Development
2018: S.6893 - Third Reading Calendar / A.7034A - Passed Assembly
2017: S.6893 Referred to Rules/A.7034 - Passed Assembly
2016: A.3419 Passed Assembly
2015: A.3419 Passed Assembly
2014: A.9348A - Passed Assembly
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law; provided however, paragraph d of subdivision 1 of section
210 of the general business law shall take effect immediately; provided
further all employees of gaming facilities on the effective date of this
act shall receive human-trafficking recognition training pursuant to
this act within four months of the effective date of this act.