Human trafficking is one thing you may possibly have heard about on the news. You may possibly have also heard that illicit massage parlors are generally utilized by human traffickers. A new ordinance in unincorporated Douglas County aims to lower this crime with licensing and inspections.
Soon after a formal public hearing Tuesday, April 11, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners voted unanimously to establish company licensure needs for massage facilities with the sole objective of stopping human trafficking in Douglas County.
“Unfortunately, illegitimate massage parlors have grow to be a hotbed for human trafficking,” mentioned Commissioner Abe Laydon, Board Chair. “This ordinance is a outcome of operating collectively with our state and federal legislators, our Douglas County Sheriff, and our District Lawyer. With each other, we can assist safeguard our neighborhood – like our reputable company owners – by enabling for licensing and inspections.”
Though municipal governments have been regulating massage parlors by means of nearby company licensing, there has been no provision in state law to let county governments to do the exact same for organizations positioned in unincorporated regions. That changed in 2022 when the Colorado Legislature passed Residence Bill 1300, enabling counties to regulate massage organizations.
In addition to licenses currently necessary for massage providers, the Douglas County ordinance will:
- Demand each and every new massage facility in Douglas County to get a license prior to operating
- Demand each and every current massage facility to apply for a license by the finish of 2023
- Demand applicants to be at least 18 years old
- Demand applicants to disclose irrespective of whether they have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in any federal, state, or municipal court for offenses associated to human trafficking such as prostitution, fraud, theft, embezzlement, or income laundering, or if they should register as a sex offender
- Demand the applicant to disclose if they have previously been portion of a massage company
- Demand background checks
License applications will be reviewed by the Sheriff’s Workplace and County employees. The ordinance goes into impact Could 20, 2023. At that time, existing organizations will be capable to stop by douglas.co.us to commence the licensing method. Study the complete ordinance, or watch the public hearing.
Watch this video for a message from nearby leaders about human trafficking.
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