(The Center Square) – Better prevention of human trafficking activity in the vacation rental and lodging industries is anticipated with a new law taking effect Tuesday.
It’s one of several with enactment dates of July 1.
Recognizing the signs of human trafficking has been among the chief focus points for a number of groups working on behalf of victims. The new law requires staff such as housekeeping, maintenance and check-in employees to be trained biannually on how to recognize and report signs of suspected activity.
Employers are to have reporting procedures and compliance records. The law applies to all hotels, motels and vacation rental property managers.
Elsewhere in the General Statutes, a 60-day grace period has ended for a law enacted May 1 regulating “alternative nicotine products” for youth. Certain CIHS Partners/Regulate Tobacco Prod., known also as House Bill 900, was signed by then-Gov. Roy Cooper on July 3 of last year and is colloquially called a vape ban.
Automobile insurance policy changes are also taking effect. Minimum limits for liability are $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $50,000 for property damage. Inexperienced operator surcharges for drivers licensed after Tuesday will now be eight years rather than three, weighted more expensive in the first three than the last five.
Ride share services and taxis are likely to be more expensive. A transportation commerce tax on gross receipts will be applied for trip fare, booking fees, surcharges, fuel charges, cleaning fees and wait time fees.
There is a new law – codifying and standardizing – on death benefits for teachers and state employees retirement systems; local government employees retirement system; consolidated judicial retirement system; legislative retirement system; and funding for line of duty death benefits
And, there is a special separation allowance options for state and local law enforcement officers with 30 years or more of creditable service.