HARRISBURG, PA — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) has called on Pennsylvania lawmakers to amend House Bill 1286, warning that the proposed human trafficking training mandate for lodging operators could create implementation challenges and unfairly burden short-term rental platforms.
In testimony submitted Tuesday, October 28, 2025, to the House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee, Travel Tech expressed support for the bill’s intent to combat human trafficking but urged lawmakers to refine the measure to ensure it is equitable and effective across the lodging industry.
The group, which represents major online travel platforms, argued that enforcement and verification of training compliance should remain a state responsibility rather than being delegated to private businesses. It proposed that Pennsylvania’s Department of Revenue integrate certification tracking into its existing short-term rental registration system.
“Monitoring and enforcing compliance with laws and regulations is a core responsibility of government,” the association wrote. “This essential function should not be outsourced or delegated to private businesses.”
Travel Tech also noted that current hospitality training models, such as those used by large hotel chains, do not reflect the realities of short-term rentals. The association recommended creating tailored programs that address remote check-ins, digital communications, and third-party property management structures.
Additionally, the group asked legislators to clarify the role of online booking platforms, emphasizing that they should only be required to notify hosts of training obligations and provide access to approved materials — not to verify compliance. Travel Tech also objected to granting any private trade association, including the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, unilateral control over training standards, suggesting that the Department of State or Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency oversee curriculum development instead.
Finally, the association requested that the compliance window be extended from 180 days to one year following the bill’s enactment, citing the complexity of reaching thousands of hosts and updating platform systems statewide.
Travel Tech President and CEO Laura Chadwick stated the organization remains committed to working with state officials to “develop a workable and effective training framework that protects guests and supports all types of responsible lodging operators across Pennsylvania.”
If adopted with revisions, the association said, the legislation could set a national example for balancing public safety with practical regulation in the digital lodging economy.
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