U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) on July 9 sponsored a bipartisan bill that would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a certification program to incentivize employers in specific industries — including entertainment, hospitality, and transportation — to complete human trafficking awareness training.
“Employees in the entertainment, hospitality, and transportation industries are often the first line of defense in detecting human trafficking,” Rep. Valadao said, “and it’s critical they have the necessary training to spot indicators of this crime and save lives.”
The congressman proposed the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act of 2024, H.R. 8974, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) to establish an annual certification program under the Blue Campaign housed at the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking. The campaign works to equip the public, law enforcement, and the private sector with awareness trainings and resources to reduce human trafficking crimes nationwide.
While the Blue Campaign offers tools to help combat trafficking, it currently lacks an initiative for recognizing businesses that have trained their employees to recognize and respond to suspected human trafficking, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Valadao’s staff.
“California has the highest number of reported human trafficking cases of any state in the country, and it’s impacting communities right here in the Central Valley,” said Rep. Valadao. “We must continue working together at the local, state, and federal level to raise awareness and bring an end to this growing and disturbing crime.”
If enacted, the bill would provide eligible employers with a Blue Campaign certificate of completion to display for one year, the summary says, and would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 by requiring the Blue Campaign to increase coordination with experts from the private sector, academic institutions, and other covered industries for the development of the Blue Campaign.
H.R. 8974 is supported by the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the American Gaming Association.
“This bipartisan bill recognizes employers who are trained to identify and respond to signs of human trafficking,” Rep. Carter said. “This initiative honors the commitment of businesses actively working to combat these crimes and encourages more companies to join the cause.”