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AB 1918

Human trafficking: body art practitioners.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Diane Dixon and 2 co-sponsors

AB 1918 requires no-cost human trafficking awareness training for body art applicants and renewals, with privacy protections and penalties for noncompliance.

Ordered to third reading.
#humantrafficking #bodyartpractitioners
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Bill Summary · AB 1918

Summary of AB 1918 (2025-2026) – California

Purpose and intent

AB 1918, introduced by Assembly Member Dixon, adds human trafficking awareness and prevention requirements to the regulation of body art practitioners and facilities. The bill aims to strengthen protections for potential trafficking victims by linking body art registration and operation to mandatory anti-trafficking training, reporting, and privacy protections. It also broadens the legal framework to ensure trained, trauma-informed responses within body art settings.

Key provisions and changes

1) Training and awareness requirements

  • The Department of Justice (DOJ), in coordination with Cal OES and the Civil Rights Department, must develop and administer a human trafficking awareness training program for:
    • Applicants for registration to perform body art (Health and Safety Code Section 119306).
    • Specifically, the training must cover recognizing signs of trafficking, responding to signs, referring victims to resources, and reporting suspected trafficking.
    • Training must be conducted by an approved nonprofit organization, include information on reporting channels (National Hotline, state resources), and be provided at no cost.
    • The training is required as part of the registration process and is to be delivered in-person and online.

2) Training timeline for existing registered practitioners

  • For body art practitioners registered before January 1, 2027:
    • When renewing registration, they must complete the new human trafficking awareness training by January 1, 2030.
    • If they fail to complete the training by that date, their registration becomes inactive until they complete it.

3) Privacy and liability protections

  • practitioners and facility owners may not publicly disclose personal identifying information about a client suspected to be a trafficking victim, except as allowed for reporting purposes.
  • Individuals acting in good faith to respond to or refer a trafficking situation are protected from civil or criminal liability.
  • The act clarifies that failure to report by an employee or registered practitioner does not automatically trigger liability for the business or others.

4) Health and Safety Code changes (119306)

  • Adds a requirement that applicants provide evidence of completion of the human trafficking awareness training (Section 8588.13 Government Code) as part of registration.
  • Requires display of a valid registration certificate in a public area of the body art facility.
  • Limits the validity of a registration issued in another jurisdiction to short appearances (up to five consecutive days or 15 days per year).
  • Renewal of practitioner registration is annual, with the aforementioned training deadline for those registered before 2027.

5) Government Code – new training framework (8588.13)

  • DOJ, with Cal OES and the Civil Rights Department, must develop and administer the training to all body art applicants, not exceeding one hour.
  • Training content includes recognizing signs, responding, referrals, and reporting to the National Hotline.
  • Must incorporate trauma-informed, evidence-based curricula (e.g., 3Strands Global Foundation PROTECT program) and include safety protocols for interactions with minors and adults under coercion.
  • Training must be available at no cost and offered both in-person and online.
  • An annual DOJ report will track:
    • Number of trainings completed.
    • Referrals to the National Hotline from permitted body art facilities.
    • Trends and recommendations to improve the program.

6) Civil penalties and enforcement

  • Noncompliance with posting notices and training requirements can result in civil penalties: $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for each subsequent offense.
  • Local and state agencies may enforce penalties; the Attorney General may enforce the section.
  • Privacy protections and good-faith reporting exemptions are in place to reduce liability concerns.

7) Related notice and posting requirements (Civil Code 52.6)

  • Businesses and establishments covered by the notice include body art facilities and a broad list of other venues (e.g., adult businesses, healthcare facilities, hotels, massage services, airports, etc.).
  • The required model notice provides information on trafficking hotlines and resources, in multiple languages (English, Spanish, and at least one other language common in the county).

Who is affected

  • Body art facilities and registered body art practitioners (including those renewing registrations).
  • Local enforcement agencies (responsible for registration, oversight, and penalties).
  • The Department of Justice, Cal OES, and Civil Rights Department (training development and administration, reporting).
  • Potential trafficking victims and the general public, through enhanced training, notices, and privacy protections.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective registration requirements require completion or evidence of completion of trafficking training:
    • New applicants: training as part of the registration process.
    • Renewals for existing practitioners: complete by January 1, 2030.
  • Inactive status for practitioners who fail to complete the required training by the 2030 deadline.
  • Annual reporting by DOJ on training participation and trafficking referrals.
  • Civil penalties take effect for noncompliance with notice and training requirements.

Overall impact

AB 1918 tightens regulation of body art practitioners by embedding mandatory, no-cost human trafficking awareness training, trauma-informed response measures, and privacy protections. It creates state-supported training infrastructure, aligns with broader anti-trafficking efforts, and introduces penalties to improve compliance, with targeted timelines for implementation.

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

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