12/21/2020
Are you incompliance? During the 2019 legislative session, language was added to Florida Statutes to increase human trafficking awareness by imposing various requirements on public lodging establishments, including apartment communities.
The requirements go into effect January 1, 2021.
Use the resources below to get prepared!
What are the requirements?
We have signs what are black with white verbiage and White with Black verbiage, made and ready to ship. Please let us know if you need a sign.
The requirements added by Section 509.096 go into effect January 1, 2021. This new law will be enforced by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The department will be conducting annual inspections to verify compliance with the new requirements.
This new law requires all apartment communities to:
• 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 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 will be treated as a front desk under the law. The training must be provided for new employees within 60 days after they begin employment in a housekeeping or reception area role, or by January 1, 2021, whichever occurs later. A public lodging establishment/apartment community can create its own training curriculum or choose an approved curriculum listed on the DBPR website. However, all training programs must be approved by DBPR to be in compliance with this requirement.
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