OFFICERS FOLLOWED POLICIES TO A T AND AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN HARRISBURG TODAY, STATE LAWMAKERS CELEBRATING THE PASSAGE OF A BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE THE WAY SOME STATE WORKERS ARE TRAINED ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING. DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE REGINA YOUNG’S BILL THAT’S THROUGH THE HOUSE, WOULD REQUIRE HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS TRAINING FOR PENNSYLVANIA WORKERS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. THAT INCLUDES HOTEL AND RESERVATION COMPANIES. STATE LAWMAKERS SAY IT IS IN THOSE HOTELS THAT A LOT OF TRAFFICKING HAPPENS. OUR RESIDENTS SEE IT. OUR OUTREACH TEAMS SEE IT, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS SEE IT. AND WHEN WE SEE IT, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT FAST AND TOGETHER. WE CAN’T LOOK AWAY. NOT FOR CONVENIENCE, NOT BECAUSE IT’S UNCOMFORTABLE, NOT BECAUSE IT’S EASIER TO PRETEND IT’S SOMEWHERE ELSE. AND THAT’S NINA AHMAD, A PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL MEMBER WHO SAYS THE INFLUX OF BIG EVENTS HER CITY HOSTS WILL BE HOSTING AGAIN NEXT YEAR. LIKE THE WORLD CUP, MLB ALL-STAR GAME AND MORE MAKES THIS AN EVEN MORE POIGNANT ISSUE, AS IT’S BEEN FOUND THAT BIG

Pennsylvania lawmakers approve human trafficking training for hospitality workers

WGAL logo

Updated: 6:04 PM EST Dec 17, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

At the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania lawmakers celebrated the passage of a bill that mandates human trafficking awareness training for workers in the state’s hospitality industry, including those in hotels and reservation companies. State lawmakers highlighted that several trafficking incidents occur in hotels. “Our residents see it, our outreach team sees it, our first responders see it. When we see it, we have a responsibility to act fast and together. We can’t look away. Not for convenience, not because it’s comfortable, not because it’s easier to pretend it’s somewhere else,” said Nina Ahmad, a Philadelphia City Council member. Ahmad pointed out that the influx of major events in Philadelphia next year, such as the World Cup and MLB All-Star Game, makes this issue even more poignant, as large international events can often become hubs for trafficking incidents.

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

At the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania lawmakers celebrated the passage of a bill that mandates human trafficking awareness training for workers in the state’s hospitality industry, including those in hotels and reservation companies.

State lawmakers highlighted that several trafficking incidents occur in hotels.

“Our residents see it, our outreach team sees it, our first responders see it. When we see it, we have a responsibility to act fast and together. We can’t look away. Not for convenience, not because it’s comfortable, not because it’s easier to pretend it’s somewhere else,” said Nina Ahmad, a Philadelphia City Council member.

Ahmad pointed out that the influx of major events in Philadelphia next year, such as the World Cup and MLB All-Star Game, makes this issue even more poignant, as large international events can often become hubs for trafficking incidents.