1. (a)

   1. (1) The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy and the Department shall approve educational training programs for the accurate and prompt identification and reporting of suspected human trafficking.

   2. (2) A training program approved under this subsection must include a video presentation that:

      1. (i) defines:

         1. 1. exploitation of a child; and
         2. 2. human trafficking; and

      2. (ii) offers guidance to employees of innkeepers on:

         1. 1. recognizing potential victims of human trafficking;
         2. 2. the differences between labor and sex trafficking that are specific to the hotel industry;
         3. 3. activities commonly associated with human trafficking; and
         4. 4. the role of employees in reporting and responding to human trafficking.

2. (b)

   1. (1) An innkeeper shall provide a new employee of the lodging establishment with the annual training described in subsection (a) of this section within 90 days after the date the employee is hired.

   2. (2)

      1. (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, on or before October 1, 2023, and each October 1 thereafter, an innkeeper shall certify to the Department that all employees of the lodging establishment have received the annual training prescribed by this section.
      2. (ii) The requirement under this paragraph does not apply to an employee for whom fewer than 90 days have elapsed since the date the employee was hired.

3. (c) An innkeeper shall:

   1. (1) establish a procedure for reporting potential instances of human trafficking by:

      1. (i) an employee to the innkeeper; and

      2. (ii) the innkeeper to:

         1. 1. law enforcement; or
         2. 2. the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline;

   2. (2) implement a human trafficking prevention policy for the innkeeper's employees that includes how to:

      1. (i) recognize potential victims of human trafficking;
      2. (ii) respond to an individual who may be or is a victim of human trafficking; and
      3. (iii) connect an individual who may be or is a victim of human trafficking with any available resources; and
   3. (3) post prominently the sign developed by the Department under § 15-207 of this subtitle in a location conspicuous to the innkeeper's employees.

Added by Acts 2022, c. 487, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022; Acts 2022, c. 488, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022. Amended by Acts 2024, c. 1, § 1, eff. May 1, 2024.