Rep. Regina Young speaks at a press conference at Tincium Township in Delaware. (Emily Previti/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
Pennsylvania hotels, short-term rents and external contractors would have to provide employees with training to recognize and report human trafficking-risk of risking a license loss to action-in line with the center in the state chamber.
Hb1286 He calls on the hotel staff for training approved by Pennsylvania Commission for Crime and Spelling in consultation with Pennsylvania, a restaurant and the Lodging Association (PRL) every two years. Employers would have to store registration of employee training or face a fine of $ 100 for their lack of law enforcement or local license authorities.
Subsequent crimes within 90 days may cause a fine of USD 250, followed by $ 500, and ultimately a notification of supervisory agencies of the counties and/or urban, in accordance with legislation Sponsored by Rep. Regina Young (D-Delaware).
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Young organized a press conference on Tuesday to promote the law at Gubernor Printz Park on the Delaware River near the international airport in Philadelphia.
“This problem is intensively focused in our area, where we are so closely related to the main transport centers,” said Young. “We have an international airport in Philadelphia. We have two main interstate, 95 and 76. We also have railway lines. … and so it is very important to send a excruciating message [that] We pay attention and you will no longer be able to go under the radar. “
Forty-three percent of convictions for trafficking in people in Pennsylvania in 2014-2023 came from matters in Philadelphia or nearby, in accordance with Institute to solve commercial sexual abuse at Villanov University Charles Widger School of Law.
Representatives of the hotel industry, law enforcement agencies and the organization of survivors joined Young Tuesday.
Similarly democratic senator Anthony Williams, who district It includes Tinicum Township, in which the meeting took place, and representative Robert Leadbeter (R-Cumbia).
“Interstate 80, which runs right away [my] The district, as in the case of any transport point between the main … metro or commercial areas, there was an element of the possibility of transferring in which trafficking in people can develop, “said Leadbeter, one of the three GOP consponsors on the bill.” Regardless of whether we are talking about a rural community … or community with high population – reality is … Pennsylvania. ”
Leadbeter and others stood in the parking lot from Holiday Inn Express. Holiday Inn is one of many hotel chains that have been voluntarily trained for years to recognize and report signs of human trafficking. Large hotel corporations have also established cooperation with spokesman, such as Polaris and PACT, to the sponsor and development of training programs.
According to the president and general director of the PRL, Joe Massaro, Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association currently offers free training materials on its website.
“It is the evolution of something that was purely volunteering that all domestic brands were on board,” Massaro said, noting that he worked for Hilton for decades before his current role. “Now we want to bring everyone else.”
Supporters say that although key training must be holistic and consistent.
And this According to Shea Rhodes, co-founder and director of the Institute at Villanova Law School, the effectiveness will depend on the details as the one who runs them-the paradigm approved by the crime and crime committee, in order to resolve commercial sexual abuse in Villanova Law School.
Rhodes said that this is also one of many necessary reforms, as well as a greater cultural change that is proactively anti -traffic.
“It is necessary to make sure that every space in which is happening is happening, there are consequences in which this can happen,” said Rhodes. “We want them to either call the helpline or undergo any reporting report that their employer has established.”
Extending the provisions on real estate and restitution to the advantage who survived trade in human The latest annual report from the Institute.
The report also recommends a combination of revenues for restitution in one fund managed by the State Commission for Crime and Environmental to support soothing activities, including public education.
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Eleven states are already ordering the training of hotel workers on human trafficking awareness, according to compendium from the non -profit (protect all children from trade).
North Karolina introduced a training ticket at the beginning of this summer, which includes holiday rentals, in addition to customary hotels and admixtures, according to PACT, according to how the community of nations will expand its scope according to Young’s measure.
The PACT report emphasizes a fine in Florida in the amount of $ 2000 per day for hotels that do not train employees. He also notes the law of New Jersey, which makes the acquisition, maintenance or renewal of all permits, licenses or certificate addicted to the hotel or motel provides proof of employee training.
Washington and Washington I have other conditions considering the training requirements Massachusetts, where the house recently sent the bill That would do it to the State Senate.
