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H 2726

An Act requiring human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tara Hong and 3 co-sponsors

Requires lodging owners to implement AG-approved human trafficking recognition training for all employees and post notices with the national hotline.

New draft substituted, see H4360
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Bill Summary · H 2726

Summary: H.2726 – An Act requiring human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers

Status: New draft substituted; see H4360
Introduced: February 27, 2025
Committee actions include: hearings, favorable report, and substitution to a new draft (H4360). The bill’s current form is superseded by the substitute bill, H4360.

Purpose and intent

  • To require owners/operators of certain lodging establishments to implement a formal human trafficking recognition training program for all employees, with oversight and standardized notices developed by the Massachusetts Attorney General (AG).
  • Aims to improve awareness, identification, and response to potential victims of human trafficking in the hospitality sector.

Key provisions

Scope and definitions

  • “Qualified accommodation” includes hotels, motels, lodging houses, and bed and breakfast establishments defined in section 1 of chapter 64G, excluding facilities exempt from the room occupancy excise under chapter 64G, section 2.
  • Applies to licensed innholders operating a qualified accommodation.

Training requirements

  • Each licensed innholder must establish a human trafficking recognition training program and require every employee to participate.
  • Training program must be approved by the AG and may be delivered by organizations or providers approved by the AG under subsection (d).
  • Development flexibility: programs may be created by a federal, state, or nonprofit organization and may be incorporated into the innholder’s existing training programs.
  • Content requirements (minimum):
    • The nature of human trafficking.
    • How trafficking is defined under the federal Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (VTVP Act, 2000).
    • How to identify victims as defined under the VTVP Act (2000).

Notices and postings

  • Innholders must post a written notice in plain view in the lobby and in any public restroom of the qualified accommodation.
  • Notices to be developed by the AG and must include the national human trafficking hotline number.

AG responsibilities and regulatory framework

  • The AG must:
    • Provide a list of approved training programs for use by innholders.
    • Develop the standard written notice to be posted in each qualified accommodation.
    • promulgate regulations as necessary to implement the section.

Who is affected

  • Licensed innholders operating qualified accommodations (hotels, motels, lodging houses, B&Bs).
  • All employees of these accommodations.
  • Training providers and organizations that might be approved by the AG to deliver the program.

Procedural timeline and actions

  • 2025-02-27: Referred to the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
  • 2025-05-02: Hearing scheduled (May 7, 2025).
  • 2025-07-24 – 2025-07-30: Committee reported favorably; amendments considered; new draft substituted (H4360); various motions include placing the measure on the next sitting’s Orders of the Day; read second, amended; substitute bill under the same title.
  • Overall status note: The initial H.2726 has been superseded by a new draft (H4360) as part of the committee process.

Related bills

  • HD 1764 (the original version that this bill replaces/adds upon).

Potential impact

  • Standardizes training across a segment of the hospitality industry to improve victim identification and reporting.
  • Creates AG-led oversight, with approved training programs and standardized notices, potentially improving consistency and enforcement.
  • May impose compliance costs and administrative duties on innholders to implement and maintain training and postings.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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