Texas has enacted legislation (House Bill 2313), which requires Transportation Network Company employers to provide training on human trafficking awareness and prevention. House Bill 2313 takes effect on Sept. 1, 2023.
The Details
As background, a Transportation Network Company (TNC) is an entity that enables a passenger to digitally prearrange a ride with a driver through the entity's digital network.
Employer Requirements
Beginning Sept. 1, 2023, a TNC employer must provide human trafficking awareness and prevention training materials on an annual basis to each driver and to each new driver (before that driver is authorized to log in and provide prearranged rides using the company's digital network).
Training materials
Under the law, training materials must be:
- At least 15 minutes long;
- Approved by the attorney general; and
- Provided in:
The training materials must include the following:
- An overview of human trafficking, which includes a description of:
- Information on the difference between labor and sex trafficking as that relates to the identification of human trafficking in the transportation industry;
- Guidance on the role of a driver in reporting and responding to human trafficking; and
- The contact information of appropriate entities to report human trafficking to, including:
Recordkeeping
A TNC must maintain records that are necessary to establish that they provided the training required under the law.
Next Steps
By Sept. 1, 2023, covered TNC employers in Texas should do the following to help ensure compliance with House Bill 2313:
- Review and update their sexual harassment prevention policies and procedures.
- Train their supervisors on the changes under the law.
Please contact your dedicated service professional with any questions.