2024 Human Trafficking Awareness Requirements
Human Trafficking Awareness Requirements
Click here to jump to the virtual training webinar
Update: During the 2023 legislative session, Florida law was amended to increase fines for noncompliance with Florida's human trafficking awareness requirements to $2,000 per day.
In 2019, language was added to Florida Statutes to increase human trafficking awareness by imposing various requirements on public lodging establishments, which includes apartment communities. These requirements include annual human trafficking awareness training for specific staff. The requirements went into effect on January 1, 2021. FAA worked with the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking on a webinar-based training to assist members with compliance. This webinar uses a DBPR-approved training curriculum provided by the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking. In response to popular demand, this training is now available in English and with Spanish subtitles. Click the button below to view the webinar recordings.
- Implement a procedure for reporting suspected human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline or to a local law enforcement agency.
- Post a human trafficking awareness sign in a conspicuous location accessible to employees. The sign must be at least 11 inches by 15 inches in size, printed in an easily legible font and in at least 32-point type. The sign must state in English, Spanish, and any other language predominantly spoken in that area which the department deems appropriate, substantially the following: “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 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 the United States and Florida law.” Click here to access and print a sample sign provided by DBPR.
- Provide annual training on human trafficking awareness to employees of the establishment who perform housekeeping duties in the rental units or who work at the front desk or reception area where guests check in or check out. DBPR has indicated that a leasing office where residents check in or out may be treated as a front desk under the law. The law called for training to be provided by January 1, 2021, and requires training to be provided for new employees within 60 days after they begin employment in a housekeeping or reception area role.
How can my team comply with the new training requirement? Click the button below to access the human trafficking training.
Click here to jump to the virtual training webinar
What proof is needed to demonstrate I am in compliance with the new training requirement?
Section 509.096 requires each employee who is required to be trained to submit to the hiring establishment a signed and dated acknowledgment of having received the human trafficking awareness training. An apartment community must keep this record on file and provide it to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation upon request at the time of inspection. This record may be kept electronically or in hard copy form.
To help members demonstrate compliance, FAA has created a Human Trafficking Awareness Training Completion Certificate. After viewing the FAA webinar-based training in its entirety, you may request a completion certificate by emailing Rona@faahq.org.
Please note: This completion certificate is employee-specific and can be kept on file to demonstrate compliance with Section 509.096 of Florida law. Since the new law requires annual training, your completion certificate will only remain effective for one calendar year from the date of completion.