Representative Wong supports bill requiring hospitality workers to be trained in human trafficking awareness

BOSTON – State Representative Donald Wong (R-Saugus) recently supported legislation that would require certain hospitality workers to receive formal training to help them recognize suspected cases of human trafficking.

House Bill 4360 received initial approval on July 30 from the House of Representatives, which engrossed the legislation on a vote of 158-0. The bill, which is supported by the hospitality industry, still requires Senate approval and Governor Maura Healey’s signature before it can become law.

Representative Wong said the House bill calls for licensed innholders to establish a human trafficking recognition training program, which employees of Massachusetts hotels, motels, lodging houses, and bed and breakfast establishments will be required to take. The training program, including the organizations and providers that offer the training, will be subject to the approval of the Attorney General so that all impacted employers are following uniform standards.

In addition to the training program, licensed innholders will be required to conspicuously post a written human trafficking notice developed by the Attorney General in their lobby and in any public restrooms on the premises. This notice must include the telephone number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which is 1-888-373-7888.

According to its website (https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en), the National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 1,175 cases of human trafficking involving 2,283 victims in Massachusetts alone between 2007 and 2024. On a national level, the hotline has identified 112,822 cases of human trafficking involving 218,568 victims. This includes incidents involving sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and in some cases both forms of exploitation.

Representative Wong noted that House Bill 4360 provides an exemption for innholders with three rooms or less. The bill also does not apply to Airbnb rentals or other similar services.

Representative Wong said the provisions included in House Bill 4360 will help to protect women and children from being exploited. Both the Massachusetts Lodging Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association have endorsed this legislation.