Texas mandates anti-trafficking training for ride-share drivers

Texas - In a decisive step against human trafficking in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) has approved House Bill 2313. According to Dallas Metro News, the legislation requires all drivers connected to Transportation Network Companies (TNC) to undertake thorough training to detect and stop the unlawful transport of trafficked individuals. Set to be fully implemented on September 1st, the bill was signed last spring.

“We recognize that Uber drivers can serve as the eyes and ears of their communities, interacting with passengers from all walks of life. By providing drivers with the knowledge and tools they need, we hope they can play a small role in helping to identify and prevent this horrible crime,” said Harry Hartfield, director of Public Affairs for Uber in Texas, according to NBC DFW.

The passing of the bill comes after alarming reports of TNC drivers unknowingly assisting in the movement of human trafficking victims. Traffickers have craftily used ride-share services, a fact exposed by Dr. Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK, a local advocacy group.

CHILDREN AT RISK, along with Representative Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), Senator Angela Paxton (R-McKinney), and various ride-share companies, has played a key role in shaping and passing the bill. Their determined belief is that Texas, being a focal point for human trafficking, must lead the national fight against this heinous crime.

"People think this is a problem on the border or this is a problem you know just on the seedy side of town," said Dr. Sanbron. "But when we create maps of trafficking in our area in Dallas, what we see is it's on the money part, it's in the north, it's in the west and its parts of town people don't think of as areas where there's trafficking."

An essential part of the law is the annual video training that drivers must complete to get clearance to operate. The curriculum laid out in the legislation will include a deep examination of the victim's experiences, a careful study of trafficking within the transportation sector, and a wider clarification of the issue.

Alerts drivers may hear include:

• Requesting to be dropped off at hidden entrances,
• Insisting on cash payments
• Coaching someone on how to lie
• Asking for money or ID
• Verbal abuse
• Discussing job opportunities

Signs drivers will be told to look for include:

• Emotional abuse and distress
• Physical abuse and signs of branding
• Exerting power over the potential victim
• Travel and transit considerations
• Kids at unsafe locations
• Multiple phones and excessive cash
• Unsafe work environment

"The idea is to train the drivers so that drivers can be a first line of defense when they identify potential trafficking victims, especially child trafficking victims," said Dr. Sanborn.

Through this detailed training program, Texas demonstrates its dedication to addressing a major societal issue. By acknowledging the crucial role of TNC drivers in House Bill 2313, the state could pave the way for greater strides in the fight against human trafficking, shining a light on the overlooked areas where this terrible crime often hides.

Credit: Dallas Metro News, CHILDREN AT RISK, NBC DFW