The Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission (OLCC) is working to combat sex trafficking in Oregon by releasing an updated policy for all alcohol service permit holders that will require them to report any suspected case of sex trafficking.
The State of Oregon defines sex trafficking as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act.
The press release from the OLCC reads, “as of January 1, 2022, alcohol service permittees who work in either a Full-On Premises (FCOM) or Limited License (LI) are required to report any suspected sex trafficking to law enforcement and the OLCC.”
This change was made following a law that was passed by the Oregon Legislature during the 2021 legislative session that requires service permittees – bartenders and servers – to report any suspected sex trafficking taking place in or around an establishment licensed by the OLCC to sell alcohol or canabis products..
Senate Bill 515 takes effect on January 1, 2022, to coincide with the new OLCC service requirement.
To help licensees and permittees understand the requirement, the OLCC created the following resources:
∙ Sex Trafficking Informational Website
∙ Stopping Sex Trafficking Factsheet
∙ Oregon Department of Justice: Human Trafficking Resources
If an establishment fails to follow the updated procedure the OLCC may revoke or suspend their service permit or impose a civil penalty against the server and the business.
By Jennifer Williams
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