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Bill to add human‑trafficking awareness to trucker training returns to committee
Summary
Representative Phillips described House Bill 5,231, which would require trafficking awareness as part of commercial driver training. Sponsor emphasized truckers’ unique position to spot trafficking at stops; the committee heard brief remarks and did not vote on the bill.
Representative Phillips told the House Committee on State Government and Elections that House Bill 5,231 is the same measure the House passed last year but that stalled in the Senate. The bill would require human‑trafficking awareness training as part of commercial driver license education so truck drivers can identify signs of trafficking at truck stops and parking lots and report to state or federal authorities.
Phillips told members that truck drivers are ‘‘on the road 24/7’’ and are often in position to spot suspicious activity at truck stops and parking lots. He said the industry and some instructors support including trafficking‑recognition material in training sessions for drivers. The committee had no public questions and took no substantive vote on the measure during the hearing; the meeting opened with a procedural motion placing all seven bills on hold for further study.
