Fact Sheet: What NC Hospitality Leaders Need to Know About New Human Trafficking Training Regulations

Need to know: Every North Carolina hotel and short-term rental property will need to comply with new training requirements that go into effect this July.

Key Information about House Bill 971 Requirements:

  • House Bill 971 was passed in 2024 regarding certification by lodging businesses that staff has been appropriately trained on identifying human trafficking activity.
  • The regulations go into effect on July 1, 2025.
  • Any employee hired after 7/1/25 must be trained on the subject within 60 days; certification records must be kept.
    • Example:
      • Name of trainee
      • Date of instruction
      • Signature of trainee and instructor
  • Must have a recorded procedure on how to report an incident on the property; and needs to be part of training.
  • Posted signs need to be in both the public and back-of-house areas.

More Information:

  • NC Stop Human Trafficking, an NC-based nonprofit organization focused on raising awareness for human trafficking.
  • In Our Backyard, a nonprofit that runs a variety of human trafficking awareness and prevention programs.
    • Click here to view their introductory awareness training – Human Trafficking 101: Training Part One.
  • Department of Homeland Security: follow this link to view DHS’ topic page for Human Trafficking.

Bottom Line: The North Carolina Hospitality Alliance is working with the North Carolina Department of Labor to craft reasonable regulations that allow effective law enforcement while not overburdening lodging establishments and short-term rental operations. Every North Carolinian involved in the lodging industry will be impacted by this legislation, and our Alliance will work to keep our members informed.