Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Human Trafficking Fingerprint Background Check Protection Act of 2024

Purpose; findings

(a)

Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to require owners and employees of massage wellness spas to undergo fingerprint-based background checks to mitigate the risk of human trafficking and enhance public safety.(b)

Findings

Congress finds the following:(1)Human trafficking remains a grave concern, with massage wellness spas being identified as venues frequently associated with such criminal activities.(2)The protection of vulnerable individuals and the prevention of human trafficking are paramount.(3)Comprehensive background checks, particularly fingerprint-based ones, have proven to be effective in identifying potential risks and preventing exploitation.

Fingerprint Background Checks

(a)All owners and employees of massage wellness spas, including independent contractors, shall be subject to a fingerprint-based background check.(b)The background check shall be conducted by a law enforcement agency, or an entity authorized by the relevant jurisdiction to perform such checks.(c)The results of the background check shall be reviewed to determine the presence of any criminal history, particularly related to offenses such as human trafficking, sexual exploitation, or violence.(d)Owners and employees must pass the background check prior to being able to own, be employed, or allowed to continue their employment in a massage parlor.

Compliance and Enforcement

(a)Owners of massage wellness spas shall be responsible for ensuring that all employees undergo the required background checks.(b)Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act shall result in penalties as determined by the relevant jurisdiction, which may include fines, suspension, or revocation of licenses.

Reporting

Law enforcement agencies shall report any findings of criminal activity uncovered during the background check process to appropriate authorities for further investigation and action.

Training and Enforcement

(a)Owners and employees of massage wellness spas shall undergo training on recognizing and reporting signs of human trafficking.(b)Educational materials and resources shall be made available to massage parlor owners and employees to raise awareness about human trafficking and related issues.

Enactment

This Act shall take effect 120 days after the date of enactment.

Reliability of Fingerprint Background Checks

(a)Fingerprint-based background checks are widely recognized as one of the most reliable methods for identifying individuals and assessing their criminal history.(b)Fingerprinting offers a unique identifier for each individual, significantly reducing the likelihood of false positives or identity confusion.(c)The use of fingerprints in background checks enhances accuracy and completeness by accessing criminal records databases at local, State, and Federal levels.(d)Studies have shown that fingerprint-based background checks have a high degree of accuracy and are effective in identifying individuals with criminal histories.(e)Law enforcement agencies, government entities, and employers across various sectors rely on fingerprint-based background checks as a standard practice for vetting individuals’ criminal history.(f)By mandating fingerprint-based background checks for owners and employees of massage wellness spas, this Act ensures a robust and reliable screening process to identify potential risks and protect against human trafficking and related crimes.

Definition

The term massage wellness spa is defined as a business establishment where various forms of massage therapy are offered. A facility where licensed massage therapists provide therapeutic treatments designed to promote relaxation, relieve stress, alleviate pain, and improve overall health and well-being. This definition includes massage parlors, massage facility, massage spa, and any other facility where the core service is to provide massage services of any kind.