Human Trafficking Public Awareness Requirements for Lodging and Vacation Rentals
Human Trafficking Public Awareness Requirements for Lodging and Vacation Rentals
Effective July 1, 2025
Protecting People, Promoting Accountability
What the Law Requires
Beginning July 1, 2025, property managers and lodging establishments in North Carolina must comply with North Carolina General Statutes 130A-511 and North Carolina General Statutes 42A-39. These laws require: (1) A procedure for reporting suspected human trafficking to local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline; and (2) Completion of biannual training by all relevant employees and contractors who provide housekeeping, maintenance, check-in/check-out, or food or beverage services. The training must be approved by NCDOL (resources below) and offered at no cost. Penalties for non-compliance range from $500 to $2,000.
Who Must Comply
- Property managers
- Lodging establishment employees and third-party contractors
- Accommodation facilitators (i.e., Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)
Training Requirements
- Training must be approved by NCDOL (in collaboration with NCDHHS, North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, and the Human Trafficking Commission)
- Available online, in person, or in classroom format
- Free of charge
Deadlines
- New employees (after July 1, 2025): training within 60 days of service start
- Existing employees (before July 1, 2025): training due by June 30, 2027
- All must repeat training every 2 years
Reporting requirement
- Develop written procedure to report suspected trafficking to:
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text "BE FREE" to 233733 or
- Local law enforcement
Recordkeeping Requirement (Lodging Only)
- Maintain a training log: employee name, training date, course name
- Retain for 3 years post-employment
- Must be provided to NCDOL upon request
Signage Requirement (Lodging Only)
- Must display human trafficking awareness signage with Hotline info
Accommodation Facilitators
- Must notify property managers of legal obligations
- Must collect training certifications before listing
- Must report compliance methods to NCDOL upon request
Penalties for Non-Compliance
- $500 for 1st violation
- $1,000 for 2nd violation
- $2,000 for 3rd violation and further
- Falsified certification constitutes an unfair trade practice in violation of North Carolina General Statutes 75-1.1 which may result in significantly increased penalties