Human trafficking for commercial sex and/or labor is a serious human rights issue.   According to the Human Trafficking Hotline, trafficking can be connected to tourism and hospitality among other businesses and locations.

A new law S0549aa.pdf requires operators of hotels or short-term rentals of 30 days or less:

▪to complete human trafficking prevention training that is approved and/or offered by the RI Department of Business Regulation. 

▪Training must be completed within 180 days of employment or the first listing of a short-term rental property on a hosting platform and by the end of every calendar year after that.  This includes all third-party hosting sites, like real estate brokerage’s websites, Airbnb, VRBO, etc.

webserver.rilegislature.gov//Statutes/TITLE42/42-63.1/42-63.1-2_42-63.1-2.htm

▪Each operator must implement procedures and adopt policies for the reporting of suspected human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline or to a local law enforcement agency.

▪Maintain records of when the training occurred and for one year afterwards to provide to DBR.

For more information about human trafficking or to report suspected abuse, visit Home | National Human Trafficking Hotline

Effective Date:   January 1, 2026