Hawaii Bill Would Require Posting of Human Trafficking Notices in Massage Establishments

Hawaii Senate Bill 193 was recently introduced in the state legislature. If passed, the bill would require that all massage therapy establishments in Hawaii post, in a conspicuous place, a notice measuring at least 8 ½ by 11 inches which states, “If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave – whether it is commercial sex, housework, farm work, or any other similar activity – call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to access help and services,” along with other information concerning the human trafficking hotline. The Department of Professional and Vocational Licensing will make a copy of the poster available on its website to print. Any massage therapy establishment which fails to post the notice would be subject to a $100 penalty, with an additional $100 penalty for each day that the violation continues. We will keep our Hawaii members apprised of the status of the bill. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Potter, ABMP’s Government Relations Coordinator, at nancy@abmp.com.