OLYMPIA, Wash.-A bill that would require hotels, motels and resorts to provide training on identifying and preventing human trafficking unanimously passed out of the state Senate on Feb. 7.
Sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, Senate Bill 6056 would require places of accommodation to provide annual training regarding human trafficking to all employees by Feb. 2025, with training beginning no later than 90 days after their hire.
“We have a lot of big events and tourism that come into our region, including the 2026 World Cup,” said Sen. Torres. “We need to be prepared for this, because when you have those type of events – that bring in that magnitude of people – that is when you see a large influx of human trafficking. Unfortunately, we are seeing that a lot already in our state.”
According to a press release from Sen. Torres’ Office, she worked with the hospitality industry on the bill that would also require that signs on human trafficking awareness be posted in places of accommodation.
The bill would also implement procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking, along with establishing an employee policy guide on human-trafficking prevention.
SB 6056 will now be considered in the Washington State House of Representatives.
