The bill amends the title of Chapter 5-14.1 of the General Laws from "The Human Trafficking Prevention Notice Act" to "The Human Trafficking Prevention Notice and Training Act." It introduces new definitions, including "human trafficking awareness training," which encompasses various components such as the definition of human trafficking, guidance on identifying individuals at risk for trafficking, recognizing signs of trafficking, understanding the differences between labor and sex trafficking specific to the hotel sector, and the role of hospitality employees in reporting these issues. It also includes the contact information for the national human trafficking hotline.

The bill defines "short-term rental property" as a residential unit used or offered for tourist or transient use through a hosting platform. It mandates that all hotel employees and short-term rental property operators receive human trafficking awareness training within 180 days of employment or the first listing of a short-term rental property on a hosting platform, with annual training required thereafter by December 31.

Additionally, hotel and short-term rental property operators are required to implement procedures and adopt policies for reporting suspected human trafficking to the national human trafficking hotline or local law enforcement agencies. They must maintain records of employee or operator training for the duration of employment or operation and for one year after it ends, providing these records to the department within ten business days of a written request. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
5563: 5-14.1-1