NOTICE TO BUSINESS OWNERS REGARDING REQUIREMENT TO POST HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS SIGN

The North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission recently sent out the following notice regarding Posting Human Trafficking Awareness Signs:

North Carolina has consistently been listed as one of the top ten states reporting human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. Human trafficking is the second-most lucrative illicit industry in the world, second only to drug trafficking. As part of an effort to combat this crime and identify those victimized by it, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law requiring that certain businesses and organizations display a human trafficking awareness poster designed by the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission.

According to the session law S.L. 2018-97, Section 5.4, Alcohol and Beverage permittees, as defined in G.S. 18B-1003, required that the posting locations “shall prominently display [the poster] on the premises in a place that is clearly conspicuous and visible to employees.” (see G.S. 18B-1003(c1)).

S.L. 2017-57, Section 17.4(a)-(g) also requires the following posting locations “shall prominently display [the poster] on the premises in a place that is clearly conspicuous and visible to employees and the public”:

·         Adult Establishments, as defined in G.S. 14-202.10 (see G.S. 14-202.13);

·         Businesses and places declared a public nuisance, as defined in G.S. 19-1.2 (see G.S. 19-8.4);

·         Hospitals licensed under Article 5 of Chapter 131E (see G.S. 131E-84.1);

·         Transportation stations, rest areas, and welcome centers as defined in Article 1 of Chapter 143B (see G.S. 143B-348(c)); and

·         JobLink or other centers that offer employment training services under Article 10 of Chapter 143B 9see G.S. 143B-431.3).

The most recent version of the awareness sign can be downloaded and printed from the website https://www.nccourts.gov/commissions/human-trafficking-commission/human-trafficking-awareness-resource-library#awareness-signs-9133. This poster will also be available in additional languages. If you would like more information about human trafficking, please email us at Lauren.M.Amato2@nccourts.org or visit the Human Trafficking Commission website.

Thank you for helping to make a difference and promote safe lives in North Carolina.

For more information: Scott K. Burger

Updated: March 13, 2023