SB 570: "Georgia Human Trafficking Prevention Training Act"; enact

Georgia law currently has no requirement that hotel staff or short-term rental managers learn to recognize signs of human trafficking. This bill, called the Georgia Human Trafficking Prevention Training Act, changes that by adding a new section to the state's innkeeper laws (O.C.G.A. § 43-21-16). Starting July 1, 2026, on-site inn employees and third-party managers of short-term rentals (like those booked through Airbnb-style platforms) must complete annual training within 60 days of being hired and every year after. The Attorney General's office, working with the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association and others, will develop or approve the training. Owners must also adopt reporting procedures, post required anti-trafficking notices, and keep training records for review. The office can fine owners who willfully violate the rules, with penalties rising for repeat violations. Owner-managed rentals and those rented fewer than 15 days a year are exempt.

• Requires all on-site inn employees and third-party short-term rental managers to complete annual human trafficking awareness training starting within 60 days of employment.
• Directs the Attorney General's office to develop or approve training covering how to spot trafficking victims and report suspected cases.
• Requires inn and short-term rental owners to adopt reporting procedures and post the anti-trafficking notices already required under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-47.
• Requires owners to keep employee training records for the length of employment plus one year and produce them to the state within ten business days if requested.
• Creates administrative fines of $500 for a first willful violation, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for a third or later violation.
• Exempts short-term rentals managed solely by the owner and rentals offered for less than 15 days a year.

Hotel and inn employees, third-party property managers who run short-term rentals, individual short-term rental property owners, hosting platforms like booking websites, the Attorney General's office, and local law enforcement agencies responsible for enforcing posting requirements.

Hospitality workers would be trained to notice signs of trafficking and know how to report it, potentially helping identify victims who pass through hotels and rentals. Owners face new paperwork and training duties, though small owner-managed rentals and short-term listings are exempt from the requirement.

• Section 1 names the law the 'Georgia Human Trafficking Prevention Training Act.'
• Section 2 adds new Code Section 43-21-16, defining terms like 'hosting platform,' 'human trafficking,' and 'third-party property manager.'
• Subsection (b) sets the annual training deadline of December 31 in an employee's first full year, with an exemption for those already trained within 12 months before July 1, 2026.
• Subsection (c) lists required training topics, including identifying trafficking victims and providing the National Human Trafficking Hotline contact information.
• Subsection (d) requires owners to adopt procedures for reporting suspected trafficking to the hotline or local law enforcement.
• Subsection (f) requires training records to be kept during employment plus one year and turned over to the Attorney General's office within ten business days of a written request.
• Subsection (h) sets escalating fines of $500, $1,000, and $2,000 for repeated willful violations, with proceeds going to the office.
• Subsection (i) exempts owner-managed properties and rentals offered for fewer than 15 days per year.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-11Act 519
3. 2026-05-11Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senado)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senado)
5. 2026-03-27Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senado)
6. 2026-03-19House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Cámara de Representantes)
7. 2026-03-19House Third Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
8. 2026-03-18House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Cámara de Representantes)

• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)Patrocinador principal
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)

1. AprobadaVotación: Senado6 de marzo de 2026

   49 a favor, 0 en contra (3 sin votar, 3 ausentes)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #671

2. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes19 de marzo de 2026

   162 a favor, 2 en contra (2 sin votar, 10 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #732

3. AprobadaVotación: Senado27 de marzo de 2026

   38 a favor, 6 en contra (2 sin votar, 8 ausentes)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #859

• human trafficking prevention
• hotel regulations
• short-term rentals
• employee training requirements