Bill > SB1140

This bill amends existing law to expand definitions related to human trafficking and introduce new training requirements for various entities involved in public lodging and short-term rentals. Specifically, it defines "public lodging establishment" as a hotel, motel, inn, or similar entity offering more than 10 rooms for temporary lodging, and introduces definitions for "rental operator," "short-term rental," "third-party listing platform," and "public lodging contract worker." The core of the bill mandates human trafficking awareness training for employees of public lodging establishments, workers provided by third-party contractors to these establishments, and for rental operators using third-party listing platforms to advertise short-term rentals. This training must cover legal definitions, identification of at-risk individuals, recognizing signs of trafficking, understanding labor versus sex trafficking, reporting procedures, and contact information for law enforcement. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is tasked with approving free online training courses or existing programs and publishing a list of these approved programs. The bill also outlines enforcement mechanisms, including violations, affirmative defenses, administrative penalties with a tiered system of warnings and fines, and criminal penalties ranging from summary offenses to misdemeanors, with escalating fines and potential license suspensions for repeat offenses. A significant portion of collected penalties, at least 50%, will be distributed to the PCCD for grants.

Justice

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb1140