Connecticut’s Legislative Response to Human Trafficking
Connecticut has passed laws to prevent human trafficking, better protect victims, increase accountability, and improve data sharing and coordination. The laws below show how the state continues to respond to trafficking in businesses and communities.
2024: Public Act 24-139, Strengthening Data, Coordination, and Oversight
What this law does:
Strengthens Connecticut’s ability to understand and respond to human trafficking by improving how data is collected, analyzed, and shared. It requires the Juvenile Justice Policy Oversight Committee to establish a gender responsiveness subcommittee and directs state agencies to collaborate on trafficking data analysis, reporting, and policy recommendations.
Why it matters to businesses:
Better data leads to more informed prevention strategies. For businesses, this means clearer guidance, improved training resources, and a more coordinated statewide response that helps identify trafficking risks earlier, before harm occurs.
2023: Public Act 23-20, Lodging Industry Restrictions & TIP Council Expansion
What this law does:
Prohibits hotels, motels, and similar lodging operators from offering hourly rates or short-term occupancy discounts of 12 hours or less — practices linked to sex trafficking. It also expands the Trafficking in Persons Council to include additional leadership, strengthening statewide coordination.
Why it matters to businesses:
Hospitality businesses are on the front lines of trafficking prevention. This law clarifies expectations, helps reduce high-risk practices, and reinforces the role businesses play in preventing exploitation while protecting their operations from legal and reputational risk.
2022: Public Act 22-87 (Sections 9–11), Address Confidentiality Program Expansion
What this law does:
Expands eligibility for Connecticut’s Address Confidentiality Program to include human trafficking victims, allowing them to use a substitute mailing address to protect their location and safety. Our Office runs this program.
Why it matters to businesses:
Survivor safety is essential to recovery and workforce stability. Businesses that employ or serve trafficking survivors benefit from policies that reduce risk, support stability, and help individuals safely participate in work and community life.
2021: Public Act 21-103, Expanded Victim Protections & Criminal Law Updates
What this law does:
Strengthens trafficking-related criminal statutes, creates affirmative defenses for minors trafficked into criminal activity, expands the ability for survivors to vacate certain convictions, and updates professional training requirements related to trafficking awareness.
Why it matters to businesses:
It reinforces that trafficking victims should not be punished for exploitation. For businesses, it underscores the importance of trauma-informed practices, fair hiring, and awareness of how trafficking can intersect with employment and criminal records.
2021: Public Act 21-106, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Disqualification
What this law does:
Requires lifetime disqualification of a commercial driver’s license for individuals convicted of certain human trafficking felonies involving commercial vehicles.
Why it matters to businesses:
When survivors can safely access legal protections, they are better positioned to work, heal, and participate fully in the economy, reducing vulnerability to re-exploitation.
2021: Public Act 21-78 (Section 5), U Nonimmigrant Status Certification Requirements
What this law does:
Requires law enforcement agencies to process U visa certification requests for eligible crime victims, including trafficking survivors, within specific timeframes, helping victims access legal protection and stability.
Why it matters to businesses:
Transportation and logistics companies must be aware of strict consequences tied to trafficking offenses. This law reinforces accountability and helps protect legitimate businesses from being exploited by trafficking networks.
