Nassau Legislature approves amendment tightening hotel rules in anti-trafficking crackdown
The amendment would require hotel and motel operators to document the name and age of any minor staying in a room, as well as their relationship to the adult who booked it.
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A Nassau County bill aimed at combating human trafficking in hotels and motels moved one step closer to becoming law Monday after lawmakers unanimously approved a new amendment.
The amendment would require hotel and motel operators to document the name and age of any minor staying in a room, as well as their relationship to the adult who booked it.
The proposal includes several additional measures designed to curb trafficking. It would ban hourly bookings, requiring a minimum stay of at least eight hours. Hotels would also be required to maintain detailed guest logs including names, addresses and photo identification for up to five years.
The bill further mandates employee training to recognize signs of human trafficking and requires hotels to preserve security footage for at least 90 days.
Advocates say the legislation would help close existing loopholes often exploited in trafficking cases.
“This law is wonderful because it’s disrupting the infrastructure of human trafficking,” said Laura Ahearn, executive director of the Crime Victims Center. “Offenders that are going in there and really committing these crimes against these women those guys are going to be held accountable.”
If approved, hotels and motels that fail to comply could face fines ranging from $500 to $5,000.
Ahearn urged anyone who suspects human trafficking to contact law enforcement and avoid intervening directly.
A yearlong Turn To Tara investigation into human trafficking resulted in lawmakers drafting new legislation regarding the issue. That bill is currently moving ahead in Albany.
RELATED LINKS:
NY officials vow action on enforcement gap exposed in Turn To Tara trafficking probe
Turn to Tara yearlong investigation finds hotels ignoring trafficking law
Turn to Tara: Human trafficking survivor describes 2-decade nightmare
Turn to Tara trafficking investigation provokes bipartisan push for changes
Westchester DA on ‘Trafficking in the Tri-State’ investigation: ‘Things have to change’
Anti-trafficking bill written in response to Turn To Tara investigation heads to committee
