Safe Harbor Prevention and Response Training for the Minnesota Lodging Industry

Q: I already took training on sex trafficking. Do I still need to take this training?

A: Yes. You still need to complete the Sex Trafficking Prevention and Response Training for the Minnesota Lodging Industry. This training has been specially developed to address sex trafficking within Minnesota and meets the requirements of the Sex Trafficking Prevention Training legislation.

Q: Are resorts, bed and breakfasts, vacation shares or Airbnb required to provide the training?

A: Only if they hold a hotel license.

Q: Does the law apply to tribal nations?

A: No; however, MDH encourages tribal nations to provide the training and use the MDH materials.

Q: Are any employees exempt under the law from the training?

A: Yes, exempt employees include:

1. Employees under 16 unless they clean rooms
2. Employees who work exclusively in a restaurant, providing catering services, or both
3. No direct contact with guests or guest rooms

However, MDH encourages training for all employees.

Q: What if I'm still not sure if I hold the correct license?

A: Contact the Food, Pool and Lodging section at MDH: health.foodlodging@state.mn.us or 651-201-4500.

Q: Does MDH charge a fee for the mandatory training package?

A: No.

Q: Does MDH assist with any costs of compliance with the law?

A: Aside from providing the free training package, MDH does not provide assistance such as with printing posters. The law states that licensees are required to pay the costs of compliance.

Q: Are the training materials available in other languages?

A: The MN Hotel Training Package is now offered in Spanish, Hmong and Somali in addition to English. If you have a need for materials in other languages, please contact Caroline Palmer (caroline.palmer@state.mn.us) or Beatriz Menanteau (beatriz.menanteau@state.mn.us).

Q: Do I have to give this training every year?

A: Yes. It is an annual requirement tied to licensure. Updates made to the package will be provided by November 1 of each year.

Q: Can we replace the MDH training with our own training materials?

A: No, it can't be replaced. In limited situations, a part may be replaced, but only with prior review and approval by MDH. MDH will provide an approval letter. However, the Minnesota-specific aspects of the MDH training must be delivered to employees.

Q: If a hotel owner, operator or manager does not have contact with guests, are they required to take the training?

A: Yes, they are still required to take the training. The exemptions in the laws for employees who do not have contact with guests do not apply to owners, operators and managers.

Q: Does the law exempt seasonal employees?

A: The law does not explicitly exempt seasonal employees, so if the licensed facility is covered the employees must receive the training. Seasonal employees should be trained within 90 days of when they start working.

Q: If an employee is temporary and only employed for two months, do they still need to complete the training, since their employment is less than 90 days?

A: Technically, no, but MDH encourages the training of all employees, particularly since other staff who are employed on a more permanent basis will need to be trained anyway.

Q: Are contracted workers, i.e., contracted cleaners, subject to the training?

A: Yes, they are still required to take the training.

Q: Are whole house vacation rental properties subject to compliance with the statute?

A: Yes. MDH licenses whole home vacation rentals as hotels/motels in most cases, subjecting them to following the statute.

Q: Once training of employees is completed, what is the next step?

A: Fill out a roster of names for all employees who completed the training, along with the date of completion. Simply keep this roster on file for your next inspection. You do not need to send the roster to MDH to check compliance.