BOSTON, Mass. (WPRI) — A New Bedford senator is pushing for human trafficking awareness training.
The legislation has been brought before Massachusetts lawmakers for years, but has never gotten anywhere. If passed, it would require training for certain hospitality workers.
The bill has drawn support from victims of human trafficking, but some lawmakers have raised concerns about the specifics of what it would entail if signed into law.
“Human trafficking is a problem right now in the Commonwealth, across the state in almost every hotel,” said Sen. Robyn Kennedy, First Worcester District. “There is very likely somebody, most likely a woman, statistically, being held against their will, and we have to act to do something. They deserve our protection.”
During a Senate meeting on May 22, Sen. Mark Montigny, who sponsors the bill, urged the Senate to act. He and other supporters said the bill is a critical step to protect victims and hold offenders accountable.
“All the hoteliers came in because the obvious question was ‘who would be against it?’ They’re all for it. They all joined us recently at a press conference,” said Montigny. “Every single time we have a chance, I think we should look at these victims who are surviving and struggling, and show that we actually care about them. Most of them are not getting the remedy they need, they’re not getting the human services they need.”
The legislation would mandate hotline posters in restrooms and lobbies, and require hotels to document their efforts to combat trafficking, all under the oversight of the Attorney General’s office.
“These conversations need to happen because this affects the commonwealth greatly. I will support this amendment, because I’ve seen firsthand experience as far as what happens when people are unable to detect a potential person who is trafficking someone else,” said Sen. Kelly Dooner, who represents the Third Bristol and Plymouth district.
However, not everyone is on board. Senator Michael Rodrigues of Westport raised concerns over the scope and cost, including the number of employees who would need training.
“While the goals are certainly applaudable, this is a situation where you really don’t create a mandate that every hotel employee, whether they are front desk, janitors, dishwashers, window washers, be trained to recognize human trafficking without having extensive discussion,” said Rodrigues.
The amendment did not get adopted, but legislators who support the bill said they are committed to moving forward with the legislation as the session continues.
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