What's happening
This bill requires all gaming facility employees in New York to complete human trafficking recognition training, with specific guidelines and recordkeeping.
Why it matters
Targets a high-risk industry for trafficking. By mandating training in gaming facilities—a sector often linked to trafficking activity—the bill aims to equip frontline staff to recognize and report exploitation, potentially leading to earlier interventions for victims.
Ensures comprehensive, standardized training. The content requirements (nature of trafficking, legal definitions, victim ID, survivor support) and oversight by state agencies mean that all employees get a consistent, thorough education, reducing gaps in awareness or response across the industry.
Institutional accountability through recordkeeping. Facilities must document compliance and keep records for the duration of employment plus one year after, creating a paper trail that can be audited and used to ensure ongoing adherence to the law.
Rapid implementation for new and existing staff. Current employees must be trained within four months, and new hires within their first month, accelerating the timeline for increased vigilance and potentially deterring traffickers who target gaming venues.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Train Casino Workers on Trafficking
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Train Casino Staff on Trafficking
In Assembly Committee · Economic Development · Sponsor Taylor Darling
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2732
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to employee human trafficking recognition training in gaming facilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 210 to read as follows:
§ 210. Human trafficking recognition training. 1. Human trafficking recognition training program. a. Any establishment that constitutes a gaming facility as defined by subdivision twenty-three of section thirteen hundred one of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, shall require all employees to undergo a human trafficking recognition training program which shall be established or approved by the division of criminal justice services and the office of temporary and disability assistance in consultation with the New York state interagency task force on human trafficking. However, for class III gaming establishments authorized under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. § 2701, et seq., the gaming commission shall make available, upon request, such human-trafficking recognition training program.
b. The training program may be developed by a federal, state, or nonprofit organization, and may be incorporated as part of the gaming facility's existing training programs or may be provided by organizations or providers identified by the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services or the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assistance, provided that the training includes all of the requirements of this section. Established or approved training programs may be made available through methods including, but not limited to, in-person instruction, electronic and video communication, or online programs.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08210-01-9
S. 2732 2
c. Any human trafficking recognition training program established or approved by the division of criminal justice services and the office of temporary and disability assistance in consultation with the New York state interagency task force on human trafficking as required by this section shall address no less than the following issues:
(i) the nature of human trafficking;
(ii) how human trafficking is defined in law;
(iii) how to identify victims of human trafficking;
(iv) relief and recovery options for survivors; and
(v) social and legal services available to victims.
d. The commissioner of the division of criminal justice services and the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assistance shall make available a list of established or approved human trafficking recognition programs for use by a gaming facility.
e. All new employees required to receive human trafficking recognition training shall receive such training within their first month of employment.
f. The training shall take place on the premises of the gaming facility and shall be considered compensable time.
2. Record keeping requirements of human trafficking recognition training. Every keeper of each gaming facility shall maintain records indicating that each employee required to undergo an established or approved human trafficking recognition training program pursuant to this section has completed such training. Such records shall be kept on file by the gaming facility for the period during which the employee is employed by the gaming facility and for one year after such employment ends.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law; provided however, paragraph d of subdivision 1 of section 210 of the general business law as added by section 1 of this act, shall take effect immediately; provided further that all current employees of gaming facilities on the effective date of this act shall receive human-trafficking recognition training pursuant to this act within four months of the effective date of this act.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to employee human trafficking recognition training in gaming facilities
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would necessitate that all casino employees would be required to complete a human-trafficking recognition training program.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends the general business law to include that any estab- lishment that constitutes a gaming facility must require all employees to undergo a human-trafficking recognition training program established or approved by the division of criminal justice services and the office of temporary and disability assistance in consultation with the New York State interagency task force on human trafficking. This section speci- fies the issues the training will address, clarifies when and where such training shall occur, and requires gaming facilities to certain maintain records.
Section 2: Establishes the effective date.
Difference between original and amended version (if applicable)
The amended version clarifies that existing programs regarding the recognition of human trafficking may be approved by the division of criminal justice services and the office of temporary and disability assistance in consultation with the New York State interagency task force on human trafficking. It also creates a timeline for the training of current and future employees.
Justification
The Super Bowl is one of the biggest events in the United States to provide lucrative opportunities for human trafficking. In 2014, 45 people were arrested and 16 juveniles between the ages of 13-17 were rescued from a child sex trafficking ring at the Super Bowl. With many new casinos about to be built in New York, there are going to be even more opportunities for human trafficking crimes to be committed. Human trafficking is a hidden crime, and the first step to combating it is to identify victims so they can be rescued and help bring their perpetra- tors to justice. While the victims may sometimes be kept behind locked doors, they are often hidden right in the open, for example, construction sites, restaurants, elder care centers, nail salons, agri- cultural fields, and casinos. Traffickers' use of coercion - such as threats of deportation and harm to the victim or their family members - is so powerful that the victim may be too fearful to accept help. Know- ing indicators of human trafficking and some follow up questions can help prevent human traffickers from further harming victims. Requiring casino staff to undergo human-trafficking recognition training will not only increase awareness on the issue, but will also save lives.
Prior legislative history
2018: S.6893A - Third Reading Calendar / A.7034A - Passed Assembly 2017: S.6893 - Referred to Rules/A.7034 - Passed Assembly 2016: A.3419 - Passed Assembly 2015: A.3419 - Passed Assembly 2014: A.9348A - Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law; provided however, paragraph d of subdivision 1 of section 210 of the general business law shall take effect immediately; provided further all employees of gaming facilities on the effective date of this act shall receive human-trafficking recognition training pursuant to this act within four months of the effective date of this act.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.