New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A09618

Introduced
1/21/26  

Caption

Requires state and municipal police academy course training in the recognition and handling of matters involving human trafficking; requires public transportation authorities and contractors to provide training in the recognition and handling of matters involving human trafficking.

Impact

If enacted, A09618 will amend sections of the executive and transportation laws to implement mandatory training procedures. All new police officers will be required to receive training as part of their basic curriculum, while existing officers will need to complete this training within specified timelines (36 months generally, and 24 months in larger cities). Public transportation employees will also need to complete training that focuses on recognizing signs of human trafficking, thereby enhancing community awareness and response capabilities.

Summary

A09618 is a proposed bill in the New York Assembly that mandates comprehensive training for both state and municipal police officers on the recognition and handling of human trafficking cases. The bill also requires public transportation authorities and contractors to ensure that employees likely to interact with the public undergo a similar training program. This initiative aims to equip law enforcement and transportation officials with the necessary knowledge to identify and assist victims of human trafficking effectively.

Contention

The bill may face contention regarding the requirements placed on public transportation authorities and their contractors, especially concerning operational costs and the logistics of implementing such training programs. Advocates argue that the training is essential for addressing human trafficking, a significant issue that affects vulnerable populations. However, opponents may question the potential burden on public agencies already facing financial constraints. Balancing effective training implementation while managing public resource allocation could be a key discussion point among stakeholders.

Companion Bills

NY S09170

Same As Requires state and municipal police academy course training in the recognition and handling of matters involving human trafficking; requires public transportation authorities and contractors to provide training in the recognition and handling of matters involving human trafficking.

Previously Filed As

NY S09170

Requires state and municipal police academy course training in the recognition and handling of matters involving human trafficking; requires public transportation authorities and contractors to provide training in the recognition and handling of matters involving human trafficking.

NY A806

Requires applicants of commercial driver license to complete training course on handling and responding to suspected human trafficking.

NY A2338

Requires public transportation employees and certain motorbus operators to complete training course on handling and responding to suspected human trafficking; requires inclusion of certain content in certain courses.

NY S2245

Requires public transportation employees and certain motorbus operators to complete training course on handling and responding to suspected human trafficking; requires inclusion of certain content in certain courses.

NY A08376

Establishes the standardized human-trafficking recognition training program for private transportation services employees; requires private transportation services to require all employees to undergo a human-trafficking recognition training program established by the division of criminal justice services and the office of temporary and disability assistance in consultation with the department of transportation and the New York state interagency task force on human trafficking.

NY A10834

Requires bus drivers complete a human trafficking recognition training program which includes the nature of human trafficking; how human trafficking is defined in law; how to identify someone who is human trafficking; how to identify someone who is a human trafficking victim; and entities to whom a driver may report suspected activity that might constitute human trafficking.

NY S1729

Requiring human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers

NY H2726

Requiring human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers

NY H4360

Requiring human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers

NY A4796

Expands crime of human trafficking and eliminates statute of limitations; establishes human trafficking response teams; expands human trafficking training and education requirements; appropriates $1 million to Commission on Human Trafficking.

Similar Bills

CA SB1022

Human trafficking: California Multidisciplinary Alliance to Stop Trafficking Act.

CA AR5

Relative to National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

NJ A4152

Requires Attorney General to establish Human Trafficking Unit in Department of Law and Public Safety.

HI HB609

Relating To Sex Trafficking.

HI HB609

Relating To Sex Trafficking.

NJ S379

Requires Attorney General to establish Human Trafficking Unit in Department of Law and Public Safety.

DE HCR4

Recognizing The Month Of January 2025 As "human Trafficking Awareness Month" In Delaware.

CA SCR10

National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.