Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB210

Introduced
1/17/25  

Caption

Further providing for required posting.

Impact

The introduction of HB210 could significantly impact state laws regarding employee and customer awareness of human trafficking. By formalizing the requirements for businesses to display hotline information, the bill emphasizes the responsibility of establishments to aid in the fight against human trafficking. This could lead to greater public engagement and awareness, potentially resulting in increased reporting of suspected trafficking incidents. The bill also assigns the Department of Labor and Industry the task of designing these educational materials, thereby enhancing the state’s infrastructure to combat trafficking.

Summary

House Bill 210 aims to amend the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act by mandating more specific requirements for the posting of hotline information in various establishments. The bill stipulates that businesses need to display signs containing the hotline number in conspicuous locations, such as restroom stalls, mirrors, and above hand dryers. This amendment seeks to enhance public awareness about human trafficking and ensure victims have easier access to resources for help. The size and design of these signs are also specified to promote visibility and accessibility.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment around HB210 appears supportive, as there is a strong consensus on the need for increased awareness about human trafficking. Advocates for victim rights and anti-trafficking organizations have applauded the bill’s aim to provide easily accessible information for individuals who may be in vulnerable situations. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of mere signage and whether it translates to actual assistance for victims in need.

Contention

While the bill enjoys general support, notable points of contention could arise related to enforcement and compliance among smaller businesses that may find it burdensome to implement these changes. Questions may also be raised regarding the clarity of the required sign designs and whether additional funding or resources will be allocated to assist businesses in meeting these new standards. Moreover, there may be discussions surrounding the appropriateness of placing such signs in specific establishments, which could lead to debates over privacy and the public nature of human trafficking awareness initiatives.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB256

Further providing for required posting.

PA SB45

Further providing for victim services.

PA HB2455

Further providing for definitions; providing for training regarding public lodging establishments and for training regarding third-party listing platforms; and further providing for enforcement, for violation, for affirmative defenses, for administrative penalties and for criminal penalties.

PA SB249

In State-related institutions, further providing for reporting, for contents of report and for copies and posting and providing for contracts.

PA HB1556

In State-related institutions, further providing for reporting, for contents of report and for copies and posting and providing for contracts.

PA HB1394

Further providing for definitions.

PA HB1771

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in registration system, further providing for departmental responsibilities; in voter registration, further providing for methods of voter registration and for application with driver's license application, providing for automatic voter registration and for time and further providing for preparation and distribution of applications and for approval of registration applications; and making a repeal.

PA HB1003

In development, further providing for well reporting requirements.

PA HB1141

In preliminary provisions, further providing for short title, for declaration of intent and for definitions; in wages and hours, further providing for minimum wages, for piece rates, for employment of minors, for discrimination on account of sex prohibited, for records required and notice to workers, for wage payment and for hours of labor and providing for minimum guaranteed period of employment; in regulations and inspections, further providing for rules and regulations, for inspections and entry, for permit to operate a seasonal farm labor camp, for enforcement orders, for civil remedies and for drinking water and toilet facilities and providing for food service and cooking facilities, for cooperative agreements with Federal and State agencies, for medical services and for posting of information concerning housing; in access and entry, further providing for tenancy rights, for interference prohibited and for privileged persons and providing for privacy rights of tenants; in registration of farm labor contractors, further providing for annual registration required, for qualifications of registrants, for agents exempt from registration and employment agencies, for farm labor contractors and agents and prohibited activities and for Secretary of Labor and Industry and powers and duties; in construction, repeals, penalties and effective date, further providing for criminal penalties and providing for retaliation prohibited, for private right of action and for civil penalties and enforcement orders; and making an editorial change.

PA HB861

Further providing for definitions; providing for notice and regulations; further providing for unfair labor practices and for representatives and elections; providing for initial collective bargaining agreement; and further providing for prevention of unfair labor practices and for penalties.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.