Massachusetts Lawmakers Push for Mandatory Human Trafficking Training in Hotels

Massachusetts state leaders, hotel industry representatives, and survivor advocates came together at the State Capitol to emphasize the importance of human trafficking recognition training for the hotel industry. The call for such training is part of a wider initiative, ‘No Room for Trafficking,’ launched in 2019 by the AHLA Foundation. The initiative has already overseen over 2.2 million training sessions to help hotel employees identify and respond to potential trafficking situations.

The meeting was held in support of S.1729/HD.1764, a bill that proposes mandatory human trafficking training for all hotel employees in Massachusetts. Key speakers at the event included Senator Mark C. Montigny, Representative Thomas P. Walsh, AHLA Foundation CEO Kevin Carey, Massachusetts Lodging Association (MLA) CEO Chris Pappas, and Delia Vega from My Life My Choice.

Kevin Carey reaffirmed the hotel industry’s commitment to fighting human trafficking and thanked Senator Montigny and Rep. Walsh for their leadership on the issue. He stated that many Massachusetts hotels already have prevention training as standard practice, and they are committed to working with law enforcement and advocacy organizations to strengthen these efforts.

Senator Montigny, who was the lead author of Massachusetts’ first anti-human trafficking law and sponsor of S.1729, stressed that human trafficking is a severe crime that exists in many communities across the state and the country. He highlighted that hotels are often exploited by traffickers and emphasized the need for mandatory training for hospitality workers.

Representative Walsh also supported this, noting that human trafficking is a significant issue in Massachusetts, with hotels playing a crucial role in prevention. He mentioned how traffickers exploit the I-95 corridor, using hotels to transport victims. This legislation, he said, would ensure that hospitality workers are equipped to recognize and report trafficking incidents.

MLA CEO Chris Pappas voiced the hotel industry’s commitment to combating human trafficking, stating that the proposed bill will ensure that all frontline hotel employees are trained to spot signs of trafficking and respond accordingly.

Delia Vega from My Life My Choice emphasized the importance of training, stating that recognizing the warning signs and knowing how to respond could make the difference between a lifetime of suffering and finding safety and justice.