Effective January 1, 2022, Iowa lodging providers must have completed the Department of Public Safety’s Human Trafficking Prevention Training certification to receive public funds for any state-funded event. This includes state employee lodging, conferences, meetings, or banquets.
These certifications must be renewed every three years. Many properties completed their certification in late 2021 and must now complete the certification process again to stay in compliance. Lodging properties can update their certification with the Department of Public Safety at any time to reset the three-year certification. The process remains the same for certification and the steps are described here: https://stophtiowa.org/iowa-lodging-providers
Take Action:
- Lodging Partners: Please visit the www.stophtiowa.org website to complete your recertification before December 31, 2024.
- All Tourism Partners: Please help communicate this information to lodging partners to ensure they remain in compliance.
Questions about this recertification can be directed to the Department of Public Safety at [email protected] or 515-725-6330.
FAQ:
Do I have to wait for certification to expire before submitting recertification?
NO. Properties can recertify at any time; once they recertify the three year timeframe resets. Example: A hotel was certified on 1/10/2022 and their certification expires 1/10/2025. If they recertify today, on 7/12/2024, their new certification will expire 7/10/2027.
Does a hotel brand’s (Marriott, Hilton, etc.) own human trafficking courses still comply with Iowa’s regulation?
The large brand/chain properties MUST CONTACT DPS to ensure they are still covering Iowa’s regulations correctly. For example, human trafficking penalties are now higher than they were in 2022 (human trafficking was a B or C class felony, now they are A or B class felonies. This must be updated in training materials).
Has anything changed about the certification process?
No, the process is still the same. All steps are outlined on here: https://stophtiowa.org/iowa-lodging-providers
Who do I contact if I need assistance?
Please email [email protected] or call 515-725-6330.
