Teach hotel workers to spot human trafficking, Florida senator proposes

[TexasTowelie]

A year ago, state Sen. Lauren Book wanted to allow human-trafficking survivors to sue hotels that turned a blind eye to abuse. But after that idea did not pass, the Plantation Democrat is back with a different proposal: training hotel employees to spot trafficking.

“Florida is one of the hotbeds for human trafficking in the United States. We can and must do more,” said Book, chairwoman of the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee.

Book’s bill (SB 540), filed for the legislative session that starts March 5, would require public-lodging managers and employees to be trained on how to recognize and report human trafficking to law enforcement. Operators would face fines of up to $1,000 per day if training requirements are not met.

The proposal would also mandate creation of two other things: a registry for pimps and johns and an organization that would collect money and provide resources to help trafficking survivors.

Read more: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-nsf-human-trafficking-20190220-story.html

[murielm99]

1. All trafficking is not about sex.

Many hotels have restaurant workers and cleaners who are undocumented. Trafficked people can be among those. They can be exploited by being paid low wages or no wages, and forced to work long hours.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I don't think that the bill will go far.

Hotels are about making money--no acting as the quasi-police. They'll contact the police if there is a violent crime, if their workers are threatened, or their property is being damaged. Otherwise, no-tell hotels could care less.