Kansas joins states requiring human trafficking training for CDL license

Kansas is the latest state to require commercial drivers to complete human trafficking awareness training.

Starting July 1, people who apply for a new or renewed commercial driver’s license (CDL) in the state must complete approved online training. The 30-minute training consists of watching a short video and answering a series of questions.

“The purpose of this online training is to help save lives of people, particularly children, trafficked and exploited along our streets and highways,” Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in a news release.

The training must be completed only once, not each time a license is renewed. Ohio, Arkansas, Colorado and Texas have passed similar laws, Kristen Joyner, executive director of the South West Transit Association, told Mass Transit. She added that California is working on something similar, and Arizona and Iowa now include human trafficking information in their CDL manuals.

Over the past six years, the transit industry has helped lead the frontline effort to combat human trafficking.

“Part of it is being aware of what we call clues and tattoos,” Joyner said. “Human traffickers often ‘brand’ their property. Some look like barcodes, often on the knuckles. Sometimes it’s around the neck area like a chain. Sometimes it’s on the back of the neck or between the shoulder blades. Sometimes it’s a regular tattoo, and sometimes it is carved in.”

Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear is pushing for that state to add the CDL requirement, as well.

“Every year, 70 million vehicles travel through the Northern Kentucky area alone. This is a real opportunity for Kentucky to equip all (of) our drivers with the tools needed to save lives and help some of our most vulnerable citizens,” Beshear said in a news release.

 

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