New laws impact retailers, truckers, human trafficking

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Five new laws passed in the 95th Arkansas General Assembly will have a major impact on retail, delivery logistics, and aspects of human trafficking. The Arkansas Attorney General’s office worked with industry officials and advocates and will have further jurisdiction to oversee aspects of these new laws.

One new law, Act 659, creates the criminal offense of gift card fraud, a growing concern for retailers and merchants.

The new law criminalizes gift card tampering and establishes penalties for the unauthorized receipt and use of stolen gift card redemption information, which had been a gap in leading to prosecutions. The law also ensures law enforcement has the authority to prosecute individuals who deceive victims into providing gift card redemption information under false pretenses.

New laws impact retailers, truckers, human trafficking

Trucking groups applaud White House plan to address industry labor issues

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Trucking industry groups support a new White House program addressing the ongoing workforce challenges in the industry that have worsened amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Thursday (Dec. 16) news release.

The Biden-Harris Administration announced Thursday a Trucking Action Plan that includes four strategies to strengthen the industry workforce. The program comprises a 90-day apprenticeship program for employers, accelerates the issuance of commercial driver licenses (CDLs), identifies states with CDL roadblocks, and focuses on recruiting, training and retaining drivers from underrepresented communities.

“We are encouraged that the Biden Administration has not only recognized the importance of adding new and well-trained Americans to the trucking workforce but has announced a path forward with what we believe will become a robust training opportunity for future commercial truck drivers,” said Bill Sullivan, executive vice president of advocacy for trade group American Trucking Associations (ATA).

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/12/trucking-groups-applaud-white-house-plan-to-address-industry-labor-issues/

Effort to raise awareness of human trafficking in the transportation industry

KUAR | By Talk Business & Politics Staff

The trucking industry is working to raise awareness of human trafficking that affects about 40 million people worldwide.

In an event Tuesday, staff of Lowell-based carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. and the nonprofit Truckers Against Trafficking discussed the problem, its warning signs and how to help victims. The Business Integrity Leadership Initiative of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas hosted the event.

Cindy Moehring, executive chair of the Business Integrity Leadership Initiative, said more than 900 people registered for the in-person and virtual event.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2021-11-10/effort-to-raise-awareness-of-human-trafficking-in-the-transportation-industry

Michael Hibblen/KUAR News

With more truck drivers on the road than police officers, trucking companies are training employees how to identify potential victims of human trafficking.