A newly introduced bill would make Wisconsin the latest state to attempt to thwart human trafficking by requiring truck drivers to take a mandatory training course.
Last month, a bill known as AB22 was introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature that would require all truck driver training courses within the state to provide training to their students on recognizing and preventing human trafficking.
While many other states now require current CDL holders to complete mandatory human trafficking training in order to renew their license, the proposed Wisconsin legislation would only affect student drivers.
During a hearing on the bill on March 14, Wisconsin truck driver James Massey told assembled lawmakers that he’s seen many instances of human trafficking in his state. “I’ve actually seen women jump from one truck to the next,” he said.
Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt said that truck drivers are an essential weapon in the fight against human trafficking. “If they don’t call it in, these people are gone very quickly, and it’s very hard to track them,” he said.
A similar bill was introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature in 2017, but it did not pass.
Other states that have human trafficking training requirements for CDL holders include Kansas, Colorado, and Ohio.