2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25104411D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2589

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 13, 2025

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.2-267.1 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 4.1-203.2, relating to nonprofit organizations supplying human trafficking informational materials to state entities for distribution.

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Patrons—Cordoza, Cherry and Green

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Referred to Committee on General Laws

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 33.2-267.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 4.1-203.2 as follows:

§ 4.1-203.2. Human trafficking informational materials; on-premises retail licensees.

A. A nonprofit organization that has been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may supply to the Authority copies of informational materials about human trafficking. The nonprofit organization shall not charge the Authority for such materials. The form of the materials may include adhesive stickers. The materials shall not include information on topics other than human trafficking. The materials shall be limited in content to objectively verifiable information, except that the materials may include logos, symbols, graphics, or similar devices and may include a cover letter to on-premises retail licensees to urge the licensees to post the adhesive materials or other materials at the licensees' premises.

B. Except as provided in this subsection, if a nonprofit organization that has been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code supplies the Authority with informational materials as described in subsection A, the Authority shall include a copy of the materials with the issuance and renewal of every on-premises retail license. The number of copies of the materials that the Authority sends to licensees shall not exceed the number of copies that the organization supplies to the Authority. If the Authority determines that the materials have offensive or inappropriate content, the Authority may refuse to include the materials with on-premises retail license issuance or renewal or otherwise assist in distributing the materials.

§ 33.2-267.1. Human trafficking hotline and informational materials; posted notice required.

A. A nonprofit organization that has been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may supply to the Department copies of informational materials about human trafficking. The nonprofit organization shall not charge the Department for such materials. The form of the materials may include adhesive stickers. The materials shall not include information on topics other than human trafficking. The materials shall be limited in content to objectively verifiable information, except that the materials may include logos, symbols, graphics, or similar devices.

B. The Department shall post notice notices at all rest areas along Interstate System highways in the Commonwealth of the existence of a human trafficking hotline to alert possible witnesses or victims of human trafficking to the availability of a means to report crimes or gain assistance. The notice required by this section shall (i) be posted in a place readily visible and accessible to the public, which shall include on the entry door of each restroom and in each restroom stall at the rest area, and (ii) meet the requirements specified in subsection C of § 40.1-11.3. If a nonprofit organization that has been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code supplies the Department with informational materials as described in subsection A, the Department shall make such materials available at all rest areas along Interstate System highways in the Commonwealth in a place readily visible and accessible to the public. If the Department determines that the materials have offensive or inappropriate content, the Department may refuse to post such materials or otherwise assist in distributing the materials.