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5/22/2025
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House passes Rep. Dawson’s Human Trafficking Prevention Notice and Training Act
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STATE HOUSE – The House today passed the Human Trafficking Prevention Notice and Training Act (2025-H 5563) sponsored by Rep. Matthew S. Dawson. The legislation would require hotel employees and short-term rental property operators to annually receive human trafficking awareness training.
“As our awareness of human trafficking has grown over the years, it is imperative that employees and individuals who are in a place where human trafficking may occur be able to recognize the signs of this abhorrent crime. This bill will ensure that these workers have the knowledge to spot human trafficking and know how to report it to the proper authorities, which in turn, will hopefully save lives. The legislation would not be possible without the support of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association, and I thank them for their efforts to identify and eliminate the vile scourge of human trafficking,” said Representative Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence).
Hotel employees and short-term rental operators would be required to be trained in how to identify individuals at risk for trafficking; on how to identify the signs of trafficking and individuals potentially engaged in the act of trafficking; on the role of hospitality employees in reporting and responding to this issue; and, the contact information for the national human trafficking hotline toll-free number and text line, or contact information for the local law enforcement agency. Hotel employees would also be trained in the differences between labor and sex trafficking.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration, where Sen. Andrew R. Dimitri (D-Dist. 25, Johnston) has introduced the legislation (2025-S 0549).
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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