New 2026 California Law: Tattoo and PMU Studios Must Post a Human Trafficking Notice and Train Staff (AB 1918)

California has added tattoo, permanent makeup and piercing studios to the list of businesses that must post a human trafficking notice and train their staff. Assembly Bill 1918 was signed on September 30, 2026 (Chapter 837, Statutes of 2026). It adds “body art facilities subject to regulation under” the Safe Body Art Act to Civil Code §52.6, the law that already covers businesses such as airports, bus stations, hotels and emergency rooms.

Here is what it requires from your studio, who has to be trained, and the deadlines.

Why body art studios were added

Tattoo and PMU artists see clients up close, often in private rooms, and sometimes notice signs that someone is being controlled by another person. Tattoos are also sometimes used by traffickers to “brand” victims. The law puts information about how to get help in front of clients and gives the people working in studios basic training to recognize warning signs.

Requirement 1: Post the notice

• What: the human trafficking notice described in Civil Code §52.6, which lists the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) and text line (233-733). Use the model notice published by the California Department of Justice.
• Size: at least 8.5 by 11 inches, in 16-point font.
• Where: near the public entrance or in another conspicuous location where it can be seen.
• Languages: English, Spanish and, where applicable, one other language widely spoken in your county.

The law ties the posting requirement to the availability of the Department of Justice model notice. Check the DOJ’s human trafficking page for the current version.

Requirement 2: Train staff by July 1, 2027

Body art facilities must provide at least 20 minutes of human trafficking awareness training, on or before July 1, 2027, to:

• New and existing employees who may interact with or come into contact with a victim of trafficking, or who are likely to receive reports from coworkers about suspected trafficking; and
• Registered body art practitioners who work in the facility and fit the same description, which in most studios means every artist, including those who rent a chair.

The training must cover:

• The definition of human trafficking, including both sex trafficking and labor trafficking
• Common myths and misconceptions
• Warning signs and indicators
• Populations at higher risk
• How to report suspected trafficking
• Your studio’s own protocol for reporting on the job

The law allows you to use evidence-based, trauma-informed training from nonprofit organizations that serve survivors, and materials from the Department of Justice.

Penalties

• Civil penalty of $1,000 for a first violation and $2,000 for each later violation.
• A government agency must give you notice and 30 days to fix the problem before filing an action.
• The Attorney General can also enforce the law. Penalties go to the state’s Survivor Support Fund.

The law also states that an employee’s failure to report suspected trafficking does not, by itself, make the business liable.

What to do now

1. Download the DOJ model notice in English, Spanish and your county’s other common language, print it at the required size and post it by your entrance.
2. Choose a training source that covers all six required topics and takes at least 20 minutes.
3. Write a one-page reporting protocol: who an artist tells, when to call the hotline, and when to call 911.
4. Train everyone, including chair renters and guest artists who work regularly, before July 1, 2027, and add the training to new-hire onboarding.
5. Keep a record of who was trained and when, in the same folder as your other training records. Training records for the bloodborne pathogens standard must be kept for three years, and using the same folder keeps everything ready for inspection.

How this fits with your other required training

Human trafficking awareness training is separate from the training the Safe Body Art Act already requires. Every practitioner still needs:

• Bloodborne pathogens training, at least two hours before registering and at least two hours every year (§119307).
• Onsite training on your Infection Prevention and Control Plan, at least once a year (§119313).

Frequently asked questions

Does AB 1918 apply to PMU-only and piercing-only studios?

It applies to body art facilities regulated under the Safe Body Art Act, which covers tattooing, piercing and permanent cosmetics.

Do independent contractors and chair renters need the training?

The law expressly includes registered practitioners who work in the facility, not only employees.

When is the training due?

On or before July 1, 2027. New staff should be trained as part of onboarding after that.

Where do I find the notice?

The California Department of Justice publishes the model human trafficking notice for businesses covered by Civil Code §52.6.

Keep your core certification current, too

New requirements don’t replace the old ones. Annual BBP training is still a condition of every practitioner registration. Our online bloodborne pathogens certification for tattoo, PMU and piercing artists takes about two hours and issues a same-day certificate.

Sources: AB 1918 (Dixon), Chapter 837, Statutes of 2026, amending Civil Code §52.6; California Health & Safety Code §§119307, 119313. This article summarizes the law as chaptered; check the final text and the Department of Justice’s guidance before acting. Not legal advice.