Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Consumer Protection & Business Committee |
HB 2320
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Requiring training on human trafficking.
Sponsors: Representatives Leavitt, Van Werven, Orwall, Eslick, Barkis, Shewmake, Lovick, Harris, Sells, Kilduff, Tarleton, Fey, Irwin, Wylie, Doglio, Pellicciotti, Kloba and Riccelli.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/21/20
Staff: Robbi Kesler (786-7153).
Background:
Transient Accommodations
The term "transient accommodation" includes facilities such as a hotel, motel, condominium, resort, or any other facility or place offering three or more lodging units to travelers and transient guests when the rental period is less than 30 days.
Transient accommodations must obtain a license from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). The transient accommodation license must be reviewed annually.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is operated by Polaris, a Washington, D.C.-based nongovernmental organization.
Summary of Bill:
Transient accommodations shall provide annual training to its employees and post signage regarding human trafficking. Upon renewal or application for a new license, a transient accommodation must certify, in writing, that it has complied with the human trafficking training, signage, and reporting procedure requirements.
The training must require, at a minimum:
the definition of human trafficking and commercial exploitation of children, and the difference between sex trafficking and labor trafficking;
guidance specific to the public lodging sector concerning how to identify individuals who may be victims of human trafficking;
guidance concerning the role of the employees in responding to suspected human trafficking; and
the contact information for appropriate agencies, including a national human trafficking hotline telephone number and the telephone numbers of appropriate local law enforcement agencies.
The signage must be posted in a conspicuous location, printed in an easily legible font in English and any other language spoken by at least ten percent of the employees.
Transient accommodation operators shall implement procedures for the voluntary reporting of suspected human trafficking to the national human trafficking hotline or to a local law enforcement agency, and a policy to act as a guide for all employees on human trafficking prevention.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.