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H 7667Violent Crime Penalties

Criminal Offenses - Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking - Trafficking of Persons and Involuntary Servitude

This bill mandates the DOT display trafficking signs and removes the $300 fine for businesses that fail to post them.

Held for study
Population
Affected
15
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 11, 2026Committee House State Government & Elections

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the "Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking." It transfers the responsibility for displaying human trafficking public-awareness signs at transportation hubs from general public transportation agencies to the Department of Transportation. Additionally, the bill removes a provision that previously authorized the Department of Labor and Training to impose a $300 fine on employers—such as strip clubs and hospitals—who knowingly failed to display these mandated signs. It also removes the language stating that the fine was the exclusive remedy for non-compliance.

For younger readers

There is a law that says special signs must be put up in places like bus stations and hospitals to help people who are being forced to work against their will. This is called human trafficking. This bill says the Department of Transportation is now in charge of putting up these signs at rest stops. It also changes the rules for businesses. Before, if a business owner did not put up the sign, they had to pay a $300 fine. This bill takes away that fine.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Department of TransportationStrip club ownersHospital administratorsJob-recruitment centersEmergency-care providers
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Removes the clause stating that the $300 fine is the "exclusive remedy," potentially opening the door for victims to sue non-compliant businesses for negligence or other civil damages.
  • Clarifies government accountability by specifically designating the Department of Transportation as the agency responsible for ensuring safety signage is present in public transit areas.
  • Maintains the requirement for visible information on resources for exploited workers and trafficking victims in high-risk environments like strip clubs and agricultural recruitment centers.
  • Eliminates the specific monetary penalty for employers who knowingly fail to post the signs, which effectively removes the primary enforcement mechanism for the mandate.
  • Removes the Department of Labor and Training's authority to oversee compliance, which may signal a de-prioritization of enforcing labor and safety standards in these workplaces.
  • May allow businesses that profit from or turn a blind eye to exploitation to ignore posting requirements without fear of immediate state intervention or fines.
For Conservatives
  • Reduces the regulatory burden on private businesses by eliminating a specific government fine and the oversight of the Department of Labor and Training regarding these signs.
  • Streamlines government operations by assigning specific duties to the Department of Transportation rather than vague "public agencies," ensuring clearer lines of responsibility for state property.
  • Aligns with the philosophy of limited government intervention by removing a mechanism for the state to extract revenue from business owners through administrative penalties.
  • By removing the "exclusive remedy" clause, the bill removes a liability shield for businesses, potentially exposing them to costly and frivolous lawsuits if a sign is not posted.
  • Could be viewed as softening the state's stance on law and order regarding human trafficking by removing statutory penalties for non-compliance.
  • Mandates specific actions by a state department (DOT) without providing new funding, potentially straining existing resources.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 11 additions · 4 deletions

SECTION 1. Section 11-67.1-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-67.1 entitled "Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking" is hereby amended to read as follows: 11-67.1-20. Display of public-awareness sign — Penalty for failure to display. (a)(1) The department of transportation Any public or quasi-public transportation agency shall display a public-awareness sign that contains the state and national human trafficking resource center hotline information in every transportation station, rest area, and welcome center in the state that 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, shall be printed in at least sixteen (16) point type, and shall 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 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 67.1 of title 11."

(b) An employer shall display the public-awareness sign described in subsection (a) of this section in a place that is clearly conspicuous and visible to employees and the public at each of the following locations in this state at which the employer has employees:

(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.