Human Trafficking Notice Requirements

Baltimore City Code art. 15, subtit. 42

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 42-1 Definitions.

§ 42-1. Definitions. (a) In general. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (b) Adult-entertainment business. “Adult-entertainment business” has the meaning stated in § 1-1(c) {“Adult-entertainment business”} of this article. (c) Food service facility. “Food service facility” has the meaning stated in City Code Article - Health, § 6-101(d) {“Food service facility”}. (d) Hotel. “Hotel” has the meaning stated in § 10-1(b) {“Hotel”} of this article. (e) {Repealed} (f) Permit holder. “Permit holder” means any person holding a building permit issued by the Department of Housing and Community Development under the City Building Code for construction or demolition. (g) {Repealed} (Ord. 22-125; Ord. 21-018; Ord. 19-218.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 42-2 Human trafficking prevention signs to be posted.

§ 42-2. Human trafficking prevention signs to be posted. (a) Applicability. The requirements of this section apply only to: (1) adult-entertainment businesses; (2) food service facilities; (3) hotels; and (4) permit holders. (b) In general. (1) The owner of any business described in subsection (a) of this section must post a sign that states the following: “REPORT HUMAN TRAFFICKING: National Human Trafficking Resource Center Call 1-888-373-7888 or text “BeFree” (233733) CALL FOR HELP IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW: • is being forced to have sex without consent • has had an ID or documents taken away • is being threatened by or is in debt to an employer • wants to leave a job but cannot freely do so TOLL-FREE ‡ 24/7 ‡ CONFIDENTIAL ‡ INTERPRETERS AVAILABLE This sign is required by Baltimore City law” (2) The sign must: (i) be at least 3 by 5 inches in size; (ii) contain the text required under paragraph (1) of this subsection in English and Spanish; and (iii) draw attention to the phone number of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline by showing the phone number in bold type. (3) The owner of a business described in subsection (a) of this section may meet the requirements of this subsection: (i) by creating their own signs, using a font size of not less than 30 points for the hotline numbers and a font size of not less than 12 points for the body text; or (ii) by using copies of the signs created and made available online by the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign website. (c) Sign location. (1) Adult-entertainment businesses and food service facilities must post a sign required by this section in a conspicuous place in clear view of the public and employees where similar notices are customarily posted and on the back of the door at the entrance to each restroom. (2) Permit holders must post the sign required by this section in a conspicuous place in clear view of the public. (3) Hotels must post the sign required by this section on the back of each hotel room entry door. (d) Hotels to certify. Beginning in calendar year 2020, any person who owns or operates a hotel within the City must annually certify to the Housing Commissioner, in the form and manner required by the Department of Housing and Community Development, no later than December 31 of each year, that the hotel is in compliance with this section. (Ord. 21-018; Ord. 19-332; Ord. 19-319; Ord. 19-218.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 42-2.1 City-owned or -occupied buildings.

§ 42-2.1. City-owned or -occupied buildings. (a) In general. Except as otherwise provided in this section, in each City-owned or -occupied building, at least 1 sign described in § 42-2(b) of this subtitle must be posted in each: (1) location where the notice required by Subtitle 4 {“Wages and Hours”}, Part V {“Enforcement”} of the State Labor and Employment Article is posted; (2) public restroom; and (3) public entranceway or main lobby to the building or portion of the building occupied by the City. (b) Exceptions. This section does not apply to: (1) any City-owned building that is vacant or not in regular use; or (2) any City-owned building that is occupied by the Baltimore City Public School System. (Ord. 21-018.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 42-3 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 42-4 Agencies to enforce.

§ 42-4. Agencies to enforce. Enforcement of this subtitle shall be conducted by: (1) the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City, with regard to adult-entertainment businesses; (2) the Baltimore City Department of Health, with regard to food service facilities; and (3) the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, with regard to hotels and permit holders. (Ord. 19-218.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 42-5 Annual report.

§ 42-5. Annual report. (a) In general. On or before June 30 of each year, the Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, the Commissioner of the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Chair of the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City shall each prepare and submit to the Mayor and the City Council an annual report detailing compliance with this subtitle. (b) Contents. The report shall include the following information for the previous calendar year: (1) the number of inspections conducted of businesses regulated under this subtitle; and (2) the number of citations issued pursuant to this subtitle. (Ord. 19-218.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 42-6 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 42-7 Enforcement by citation.

§ 42-7. Enforcement by citation. (a) In general. In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this subtitle may be enforced by issuance of: (1) an environmental citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 40 {“Environmental Control Board”}; or (2) a civil citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 41 {“Civil Citations”}. (b) Process not exclusive. The issuance of a citation to enforce this subtitle does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law. (Ord. 19-218.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 42-8 Criminal penalties.

§ 42-8. Criminal penalties. Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each offense. (Ord. 19-332; Ord. 19-218.)

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/15/42Fetched: 10/25/2026