Human Trafficking Prevention Resources
In compliance with Iowa Code 80.45A, effective January 1, 2022, any Iowa lodging provider who hosts public employees (i.e., state staff with overnight stay) or state-funded events and conferences (i.e., Downtown Conference, tourism conference, workshops) must have all employees successfully complete certified human trafficking prevention training. Certification of all employees must be confirmed in order to be paid by the State of Iowa for services rendered. State employees must verify this prior to expending or committing public funds.
These certifications must be renewed every three years. Many properties completed their certification in late 2021 and must now complete the certification process again to stay in compliance. Lodging properties can update their certification with the Department of Public Safety at any time to reset the three-year certification. The process remains the same for certification and the steps can be seen at the link below.
Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking (IBAT)
On Thursday January 13, 2022 Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate launched a statewide alliance of businesses to end human trafficking. The Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association was one of the inaugural members of the group and encourages individual hotel and lodging businesses to join the coalition as well.
The newly formed Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking (IBAT) coalition asks businesses to promote both awareness of human trafficking and the Iowa Safe at Home confidentiality program for survivors of human trafficking and other violent crimes.
Members are asked to: “Learn Something” and “Do Something.” “Learn Something” tasks educate employees, customers, and industry partners on the signs and impact of human trafficking in Iowa, while “Do Something” tasks empower people to take actions to prevent human trafficking.
