Last Wednesday afternoon, the House of Representatives passed Rep. Thomas P. Walsh’s (D-Peabody) House Bill 4360, “An Act requiring human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers,” in a 158-0 vote.
H.4360 empowers the public to report suspected cases of human trafficking and educates front-line hospitality employees about behaviors that may indicate a person is being trafficked.
Walsh’s legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Sally P. Kerans (D-Danvers) and co-presented in the Senate by Sen. Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem), seeks to end the practice of human traffickers using hotels and motels in Massachusetts.
This bill requires a visual warning of the dangers of human trafficking to be displayed in the lobby and public restrooms of every hotel, motel, and bed and breakfast in the Commonwealth, mandates that all hospitality staff participate in an approved training program designed to identify and report human trafficking, and requires the posting of the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888-373-7888) in overnight accommodations.
“I’ve seen firsthand how human traffickers exploit the I-95 corridor, using hotels to transport and harm victims,” Walsh said last Wednesday. “This afternoon, we took a meaningful step forward to eradicate the crime of human trafficking, uphold human dignity, and ensure justice and protection for victims. I appreciate the cooperation and collaboration of the lodging industry, hospitality workers’ union, law enforcement, and survivor advocates in crafting this bill.
“I am also grateful for the robust partnership of Lt. Bonfanti and Sgt. Murphy of the Peabody Police Department, working to ensure that these victims receive the attention and assistance they deserve,” Walsh added.
Human trafficking occurs when individuals are compelled to work or provide services through the use of force, fraud or coercion, known as labor trafficking, and when individuals are compelled to engage in commercial sex through the use of force, fraud or coercion. The federal Department of Homeland Security states traffickers often take advantage of the privacy and anonymity accessible through the hospitality industry, making hotels and motels especially attractive locations for all forms of trafficking.
In 2024, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported receiving 288 signals from Massachusetts. Ninety-one of these signals were from victims or survivors of human trafficking.
Passed unanimously by the House, the legislation now goes before the Senate for consideration. Anyone interested in learning more about this legislation is encouraged to contact Rep. Walsh at 617-722-2410 or by email at Thomas.Walsh@mahouse.gov.
