2017 -- S 0421

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LC001668

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS AND

INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE

     Introduced By: Senators Morgan, Coyne, Lynch Prata, Nesselbush, and Goodwin

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 11-67 of the General Laws entitled "Trafficking of Persons and

Involuntary Servitude" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     11-67-9. Human trafficking public awareness signs - Required.

     (a)(1) The Rhode Island department of transportation and any public or quasi-public

transportation agency shall display public awareness signs that contain the state and National

Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline information in every transportation station, rest area,

and welcome center in the state which is open to the public.

     (2) The required public awareness sign must be at least eight and one-half inches by

eleven inches (8 ½" x 11") in size, must be printed in at least a sixteen (16) point type, and must

state substantially the following in English and Spanish:

     "If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in an activity and cannot leave,

whether it is prostitution, housework, farm work, factory work, retail work, restaurant work, or

any other activity, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or

text INFO or HELP to 233-733 to access help and services. Victims of slavery and human

trafficking are protected under United States and Rhode Island law."

     Posted pursuant to chapter 67 of title 11.

     (b) The employer at each of the following establishments shall display public awareness

signs pursuant to subsection (a) of this section in a conspicuous location that is clearly visible to

the public and employees of the establishment:

     (1) A strip club or other sexually-oriented business;

     (2) A business entity previously found to be a nuisance for prostitution;

     (3) A job recruitment center;

     (4) A hospital; or

     (5) An emergency care provider.

     (c) The department of labor and training shall impose a fine of three hundred dollars

($300) per violation on an employer that knowingly fails to comply with subsection (b) of this

section. The fine shall be the exclusive remedy for failure to comply.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS AND

INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE

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     This act would require the posting of human trafficking awareness signs at certain state

rest and welcome areas as well as at certain businesses.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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