HB 490: Crimes and offenses; required human trafficking training program for hotels; provide - Georgia

LC 48 1787S/hs → LC 33 9887S/hs · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was revised to clarify definitions, change the responsible agency from the Department to the Office of the Attorney General, and remove specific exemptions for owner-managed properties while adding a definition for third-party property managers. The changes aim to streamline the human trafficking training requirements for hospitality workers.

Scope change

The bill's scope was refined by replacing 'Department' with 'Office' to refer to the Attorney General's office, and by redefining which properties and managers are subject to training requirements.

DEFINITION

Changed the term 'Department' to 'Office' in references to the Attorney General's office to ensure clarity about which agency is responsible for developing training materials.

Removed the definition for 'Third-party managed short-term rental property' and replaced it with a new definition for 'Third-party property manager' to better describe who provides services like cleaning and guest communications.

REQUIREMENT

Removed language that exempted short-term rental properties directly managed by the property owner from the human trafficking training requirement.

Added 'third-party property manager' to the list of individuals required to complete annual human trafficking awareness training.

Modified the exemption for prior training to now apply to both inn employees and third-party property managers, ensuring consistent training requirements across different types of hospitality workers.

LC 48 1766S/hs → LC 48 1787S/hs · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to narrow the definition of short-term rental properties that must comply with human trafficking training requirements. The change adds a new exemption for properties that use third-party management services for no more than 15 days per year, meaning only properties with more extensive third-party involvement must provide training to employees.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was narrowed to exclude short-term rental properties that use third-party management services for 15 days or fewer per calendar year.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an exemption for short-term rental properties that use third-party management services for no more than 15 days per calendar year, removing the requirement for those properties to provide human trafficking awareness training to employees.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'short-term rental property' to include the new 15-day third-party management limitation that determines whether the property is subject to training requirements.

LC 59 0128S/hs → LC 48 1766S/hs · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten to shift focus from hotels to inns and short-term rental properties, with expanded definitions and updated training requirements. The new version includes more comprehensive training content, broader applicability to different types of lodging, and clearer enforcement mechanisms with administrative penalties.

Scope change

Changed from applying only to hotels to applying to inns and short-term rental properties, including third-party managed properties

SCOPE

Expanded applicability from hotels only to include inns and short-term rental properties, including those managed by third parties

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Department' (Attorney General's office), 'Hosting platform', 'Human trafficking', 'Human trafficking awareness training', and 'Short-term rental property'

REQUIREMENT

Changed training completion deadline from October 1, 2025 to December 31 of first full year of employment, and added exemption for properties managed directly by owners without third-party services

Added requirement for owners/operators to implement reporting procedures and policies for suspected human trafficking

Added record-keeping requirements for employee training acknowledgments to be retained during employment plus one year

Added specific training content requirements including definitions, identification guidance, labor vs sex trafficking differences, reporting roles, and hotline contact information

ENFORCEMENT

Added administrative penalty structure: $500 for first violation, $1,000 for second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent violations

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026

LC 48 1416/a → LC 59 0128S/hs · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to replace the original version with a substitute that significantly expands training requirements and strengthens enforcement. The substitute clarifies the definition of 'hotel' to align with existing innkeeper laws, shifts training responsibility to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and establishes a specific deadline for initial training completion. Most importantly, it changes the penalty for non-compliance from vague consequences to a specific misdemeanor crime for failing to report suspected human trafficking.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on human trafficking prevention in hotels, but the definition of 'hotel' was updated to match Code Section 48-13-50.2 (innkeeper definition), potentially expanding or clarifying which establishments must comply.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'hotel' from Code Section 16-5-47 to Code Section 48-13-50.2, aligning it with the term 'innkeeper' for consistency with other state laws.

REQUIREMENT

Modified training requirements to require completion by October 1, 2025 for those employed as of July 1, 2025, and within five days for new employees, replacing the previous six-month requirement.

Changed the training provider from requiring the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to provide training to allowing them to provide training or approve alternative courses from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

ENFORCEMENT

Added specific criminal penalties for failing to report suspected human trafficking, making it a misdemeanor crime for those who knowingly and willfully fail to report.

Crimes and offenses; required human trafficking training program for hotels; provide

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