DE tattoo parlors could combat human trafficking through DE bill

Dover, Del. – Delaware legislators have introduced a bill to combat human trafficking within the state. If passed, House Bill 324 would give tattoo parlors the tools to spot the signs of human trafficking.

The bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to encourage tattoo and body piercing establishments to undergo special training to recognize, respond to and report the signs of human trafficking.
The department would provide a list of nonprofit organizations that provide the training which would given be free of charge for anyone who works at a tattoo or body piercing parlor.  

“Some people have asked why tattoo parlors,” bill sponsor Rep. DeShanna Neal (D – District 13) said. “It is known that many such traffic victims are made to either be tattooed or branded by their traffickers. And this way, we are putting another tool in the state of Delaware to ensure that we decrease the sex trafficking that is already abundant in our state.”

The act would take effect one year into becoming law if passed. The bill passed the House and has been referred to the Health and Social Services Committee in Senate.