PRINTER'S NO. 1462
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.1286
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY YOUNG, E. NELSON, KHAN, LEADBETER, ISAACSON,
KENYATTA, M. MACKENZIE, GIRAL, BURGOS, PIELLI, SANCHEZ, HILL-
EVANS, HADDOCK, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, CONKLIN, MALAGARI, FLEMING,
ZIMMERMAN, STEELE, CERRATO, GREEN AND CURRY, APRIL 22, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, APRIL 22, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of October 25, 2012 (P.L.1618, No.197),
entitled "An act providing for the National Human Trafficking
Resource Center Hotline Notification Act; imposing duties on
the Department of Labor and Industry; and prescribing
penalties," further providing for definitions; providing for
training requirements for public lodging establishments and
for training requirements for third-party listing platforms
and rental operators; further providing for e nforcement, for
violation, for affirmative defenses, for administrative
penalties and for criminal penalties; and imposing duties on
the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency .
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "establishment" in section 2 of
the act of October 25, 2012 (P.L.1618, No.197), known as the
National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification
Act, is amended and the section is amended by adding definitions
to read:
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Establishment." Includes:
(1) A personal service establishment.
(2) A drinking establishment.
(3) An adult entertainment enterprise featuring nude or
partially nude dancing or providing live adult entertainment.
(4) A hotel or motel found to be a drug-related nuisance
under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 83 Subch. H (relating to drug nuisances)
or declared a common nuisance under section 1 of the act of
June 23, 1931 (P.L.1178, No.319), entitled "An act declaring
buildings and parts of buildings used for purposes of
fornication, lewdness, assignation, and prostitution to be
nuisances; providing a method of abating same; establishing a
method of procedure against those who use said buildings, or
parts thereof, for such purposes; and providing penalties for
violations of this act."
(5) An airport, train station or bus station.
(6) A welcome center or rest area operated by the
Department of Transportation or the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Commission.
(7) A full-service truck stop as defined in section 2 of
the act of June 13, 2008 (P.L.182, No.27), known as the Clean
Indoor Air Act.
(8) A public lodging establishment.
* * *
"Public lodging contract worker." An individual employed by
a third-party contractor who, under a contract for services with
a public lodging establishment, has contact with guests or
access to guest rooms of the public lodging establishment.
20250HB1286PN1462 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 "Public lodging employee." An individual employed by a
public lodging establishment who has contact with guests or
access to guest rooms of the public lodging establishment.
"Public lodging establishment." A hotel, motel, inn or
similar entity in this Commonwealth that offers more than 10
rooms to the public for temporary lodging for a fee.
"Rental operator." A person or entity that owns or manages a
short-term rental.
"Short-term rental." A residential or multifamily property
offered for rent to a transient individual for a period of less
than 30 consecutive days. The term does not include a public
lodging establishment.
"Third-party contractor." A person or entity that manages or
provides public lodging contract workers to a public lodging
establishment under a service contract.
"Third-party listing platform." An electronic platform used
by a rental operator to advertise or facilitate the rental of a
short-term rental.
Section 2. The act is amended by adding sections to read:
Section 3.1. Training requirements for public lodging
establishments.
(a) Training requirements.--
(1) Except as provided under subsection (b), the owner,
operator or manager of a public lodging establishment shall
ensure that each public lodging employee receives human
trafficking awareness training in accordance with this
section.
(2) Except as provided under subsection (b), a third-
party contractor shall ensure that each public lodging
contract worker providing services to a public lodging
20250HB1286PN1462 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 establishment receives human trafficking awareness training
in accordance with this section.
(3) The training required under paragraphs (1) and (2)
shall be completed as follows:
(i) For a public lodging employee or contract worker
employed or contracted before the effective date of this
subparagraph, the training shall be completed within 90
days after the effective date of this subparagraph.
(ii) For a public lodging employee or contract
worker hired or contracted on or after the effective date
of this subparagraph, the training shall be completed
within 90 days after the date of hire or contract
commencement.
(4) A contract entered into or renewed after the
effective date of this paragraph between a public lodging
establishment and a third-party contractor shall require that
each public lodging contract worker complete human
trafficking awareness training before providing guest
services or accessing guest rooms. Failure to comply with
this requirement shall constitute a breach of the contract.
(b) Alternative training.-- The training requirements under
subsection (a) shall not apply to a public lodging employee or
contract worker who has completed human trafficking awareness
training that meets the criteria under this section within the
12-month period before the effective date of this subsection and
provides a record of completion to the owner, operator or
manager of the public lodging establishment or third-party
contractor.
(c) Validity.-- Training completed under subsection (a) or
(b) shall be valid for two years from the date of completion.
20250HB1286PN1462 - 4 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (d) Record of completion.--
(1) A public lodging employee or contract worker who
completes training under subsection (a) shall provide a
signed and dated acknowledgment of training completion to the
owner, operator or manager of the public lodging
establishment or third-party contractor.
(2) A public lodging employee or contract worker who
completes alternative training under subsection (b) shall
provide a copy of the record of training completion to the
owner, operator or manager of the public lodging
establishment or third-party contractor.
(3) The owner, operator or manager of the public lodging
establishment or third-party contractor shall maintain the
records under paragraphs (1) and (2) and make the records
available to the appropriate law enforcement agency or the
licensing authority upon request.
(4) Records under this subsection may be maintained in
digital or paper form.
(e) Training components.-- Human trafficking awareness
training shall include all of the following:
(1) The legal definitions of human trafficking and
commercial exploitation of children.
(2) Guidance on identifying individuals at risk of human
trafficking.
(3) Guidance on recognizing signs of human trafficking
and individuals potentially engaged in trafficking
activities.
(4) An explanation of the differences between labor
trafficking and sex trafficking specific to the public
lodging establishment sector.
20250HB1286PN1462 - 5 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (5) Guidance on the role of employees in reporting and
responding to suspected human trafficking.
(6) Contact information for the Pennsylvania State
Police and procedures for reporting suspected human
trafficking.
(f) Approval of training programs.-- The Pennsylvania
Commission on Crime and Delinquency, in consultation with the
Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, shall have the
following duties:
(1) Approve free online training courses or existing
programs that meet the requirements of this section.
(2) Publish a list of approved training programs on its
publicly accessible Internet website.
(g) Record retention.--
(1) The owner, operator or manager of the public lodging
establishment or third-party contractor shall maintain
records verifying training completion under subsection (a) or
(b) for the duration of the public lodging employee's or
contract worker's employment or contract and for one year
thereafter.
(2) Records shall be made available to the Department of
Labor and Industry or a law enforcement agency upon request.
(3) Failure to maintain or provide records shall
constitute a violation subject to section 7.
Section 3.2. Training requirements for third-party listing
platforms and rental operators.
(a) Training requirements.--
(1) Except as provided under subsection (b), a third-
party listing platform shall ensure that each rental operator
using the platform completes human trafficking awareness
20250HB1286PN1462 - 6 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 training.
(2) The training shall be completed as follows:
(i) For a rental operator that is operational before
the effective date of this subparagraph, the training
shall be completed within 90 days after the effective
date of this subparagraph.
(ii) For a rental operator commencing operations on
or after the effective date of this subparagraph, the
training shall be completed before offering a short-term
rental.
(3) The third-party listing platform shall certify
completion of the training by the rental operator through a
method established by the platform.
(b) Alternative training.-- The training requirements under
subsection (a) shall not apply to a rental operator who has
completed human trafficking awareness training that meets the
criteria under this section within the 12-month period before
the effective date of this subsection and provides a record of
completion to the third-party listing platform.
(c) Validity.-- Training completed under subsection (a) or
(b) shall be valid for two years from the date of completion.
(d) Record of completion.--
(1) A rental operator who completes training under
subsection (a) shall provide a signed and dated
acknowledgment of training completion to the third-party
listing platform through a method established by the
platform.
(2) A rental operator who completes alternative training
under subsection (b) shall provide a copy of the record of
training completion to the third-party listing platform.
20250HB1286PN1462 - 7 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (3) The third-party listing platform shall maintain
records under paragraphs (1) and (2) and make the records
available to an appropriate law enforcement agency or the
licensing authority upon request.
(4) Records under this subsection may be maintained in
digital or paper form.
(5) The third-party listing platform shall provide
confirmation to the rental operator upon receipt of the
acknowledgment or record of completion.
(e) Record retention.--
(1) The third-party listing platform shall maintain
records verifying training completion under subsection (a) or
(b) for the duration of the rental operator's use of the
platform and for two years thereafter.
(2) Records shall be made available to the Department of
Labor and Industry, an appropriate law enforcement agency or
the licensing authority upon request.
(3) Failure to maintain or provide records shall
constitute a violation subject to section 7.
Section 3. Section 4(b) of the act is amended by adding
paragraphs to read:
Section 4. Enforcement.
* * *
(b) Responsibilities.--
* * *
(3) Upon request by an appropriate law enforcement
agency or the licensing authority under section 3.1(d)(3),
the owner, operator or manager of a public lodging
establishment or third-party contractor shall provide
training acknowledgments or records of completion for review.
20250HB1286PN1462 - 8 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (4) Upon request by an appropriate law enforcement
agency or the licensing authority under section 3.2(d)(3), a
third-party listing platform shall provide training
acknowledgments or records of completion for review.
Section 4. Sections 5 and 6 of the act are amended to read:
Section 5. Violation.
(a) Posting requirements.-- It is a violation of this act to
fail to post a sign as required by section 3.
(b) Training requirements.--
(1) Failure by an owner, operator or manager of a public
lodging establishment or third-party contractor to comply
with section 3.1 constitutes a violation of this act.
(2) Failure by a third-party listing platform or rental
operator to comply with section 3.2 constitutes a violation
of this act.
Section 6. Affirmative defenses.
(a) [General rule] Owners, operators or managers .--Any of
the following shall be an affirmative defense by an owner,
operator or manager to a prosecution or imposition of an
administrative penalty under this act:
(1) When the violation occurred, the actual control of
the establishment was not exercised by the owner, operator or
manager, but by a lessee.
(2) The owner, operator or manager made a good faith
effort to post the required signs.
(3) The owner, operator or manager made a good faith
effort to comply with section 3.1.
(a.1) Third-party listing platforms or rental operators.-- It
shall be an affirmative defense to a prosecution or
administrative penalty under this act that the third-party
20250HB1286PN1462 - 9 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 listing platform or rental operator made a good faith effort to
comply with section 3.2.
(b) Affidavit by owners, operators or managers .--An owner,
operator or manager asserting an affirmative defense shall do so
in the form of a sworn affidavit [ setting forth] specifying the
relevant information under subsection [ (a)(1) or (2)] (a)(1),
(2) or (3).
(b.1) Affidavit by third-party listing platforms or rental
operators.-- A third-party listing platform or rental operator
asserting an affirmative defense under subsection (a.1) shall do
so in the form of a sworn affidavit specifying any relevant
information.
Section 5. Section 7(a), (b) heading and (c) of the act are
amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to
read:
Section 7. Administrative penalties.
(a) Penalty.--In addition to another remedy available at law
or in equity for a violation of the posting requirements of
section 3 or the training requirements of section 3.1 or 3.2 ,
the licensing authority may, under subsection (b), assess an
administrative penalty upon a person for the violation. In
assessing the penalty, the licensing authority must give notice
to the person and provide an opportunity for a hearing. The
penalty shall be payable to the licensing authority and shall be
collectible in a manner provided by law for the collection of
debt.
(b) Schedule of sanctions regarding posting requirements .--
* * *
(b.1) Schedule of sanctions regarding training
requirements.--
20250HB1286PN1462 - 10 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (1) Upon determining that a person has violated section
3.1 or 3.2, the licensing authority shall issue a warning to
the person and allow 90 days to cure the violation.
(2) Failure to cure a violation of section 3.1 or 3.2
within 90 days of a warning under paragraph (1) shall
constitute a second violation, subjecting the person to a
penalty of not more than $250.
(3) Failure to cure a violation within 90 days of a
penalty being imposed under paragraph (2) shall constitute a
third violation, subjecting the person to a penalty of not
more than $500 and possible suspension of a license to
operate a public lodging establishment or short-term rental
for up to one year.
(4) Each subsequent day of noncompliance after a third
violation constitutes a new violation.
(c) Penalties collected.--[ The]
(1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), the
penalties collected under this section shall be retained by
the licensing authority initiating the enforcement action .
(2) No less than 50% of the penalties retained by the
licensing authority shall be distributed to the Pennsylvania
Commission on Crime and Delinquency for grants under 18
Pa.C.S. § 3031 (relating to grants).
* * *
Section 6. Section 8 of the act is amended to read:
Section 8. Criminal penalties.
(a) First offense.--A person that violates the posting
requirements of section 3 or the training requirements of
section 3.1 or 3.2 commits a summary offense and shall, upon
conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $100.
20250HB1286PN1462 - 11 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (b) Offense following sentencing.--A person that violates
the posting requirements of section 3 or the training
requirements of section 3.1 or 3.2 within [one year] 90 days of
being sentenced under subsection (a) commits a summary offense
and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not
more than $250.
(c) Misdemeanor.--
(1) A person that violates the posting requirements of
section 3 or the training requirements of section 3.1 or 3.2
within [one year] 90 days of being sentenced under subsection
(b) commits a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be
sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $500. Each day of
noncompliance with section 3.1 or 3.2 shall constitute a new
violation.
(2) Upon receipt of a certified record of conviction for
a violation of section 3.1 or 3.2 under paragraph (1), the
court shall notify the licensing authority, which may suspend
the license of the public lodging establishment or short-term
rental for up to one year, subject to section 7(d).
(d) Municipal enforcement.--
(1) Except as [set forth in] provided under paragraph
(2) and subsection (e), the penalties collected under this
section shall be retained by the municipality in which the
law enforcement agency initiating the enforcement action is
located.
(2) No less than 50% of the penalties retained by the
municipality shall be distributed to the Pennsylvania
Commission on Crime and Delinquency for grants under 18
Pa.C.S. § 3031 (relating to grants).
(e) Pennsylvania State Police enforcement.--[ If]
20250HB1286PN1462 - 12 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), if an
enforcement action is initiated by the Pennsylvania State
Police, the Pennsylvania State Police shall retain the
penalties collected under this section.
(2) No less than 50% of the penalties retained by the
Pennsylvania State Police shall be distributed to the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for grants
under 18 Pa.C.S. § 303 1.
Section 7. This act shall take effect in 180 days.
20250HB1286PN1462 - 13 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9