PHILADELPHIA, PA — Today, Philadelphia City Council unanimously approved two major initiatives championed by Councilmember Ahmad: Bill Number 250849, which prohibits employers from discriminating against workers because they are experiencing menopause, perimenopause, or menstruation, and Resolution Number 251004, which urges the Pennsylvania General Assembly to advance House Bill 1286 requiring human trafficking awareness training for hotel, motel, and short‑term rental workers.
“Menopause, perimenopause, and menstruation are daily realities for a huge share of our workforce,” said Councilmember Ahmad. “No one should be mocked, sidelined, or pushed out of a job because of what their body is going through.”
Separately, House Bill 1286 would ensure that workers who clean rooms, staff front desks, and handle check‑ins are trained to spot the warning signs of human trafficking—someone appearing distressed, heavily monitored, or unable to speak for themselves—and know how to respond safely.
“These workers are often the first people to see that something is terribly wrong,” Councilmember Ahmad said. “Giving them real training is common‑sense prevention that can change, and even save, lives. We’re calling on Harrisburg to move. I thank State Rep. Young for her unwavering leadership on this pressing matter.”
“HB 1286 is about giving hotel, motel, and short‑term rental workers the tools to recognize exploitation and a clear, safe way to report it. Human trafficking doesn’t just happen somewhere else — it happens in our communities, often in plain sight, and we have a responsibility to confront it head‑on,” said Pennsylvania State Representative Young. “I’m grateful to Councilmember Ahmad and Philadelphia City Council for standing with survivors and for urging Harrisburg to move this bill forward. I look forward to the passage of this legislation in the House and in the Senate.”
Today’s actions build on a broader anti‑trafficking agenda in Philadelphia: a scheduled hearing on Councilmember Ahmad’s bill to protect survivors of human trafficking from job discrimination, and $500,000 in City Council funding for human trafficking prevention and public awareness announced this week with community partners and advocates.
“Whether it’s a worker managing menopause symptoms or a survivor trying to rebuild after trafficking, the principle is the same: people deserve safety, stability, and dignity,” said Councilmember Ahmad. “Our laws should reflect that.”
