BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2069
	By: Bettencourt
	Education
	6/1/2023
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2021, the legislature passed S.B. 1831 by Senator Larry Taylor requiring the posting of warning signs of increased human trafficking penalties. S.B. 2069 defined "school" to include public or private secondary schools being required to post the signage.

S.B. 2069 removes the requirement that private primary and secondary schools post this signage.

S.B. 2069 amends current law relating to the required posting of signs regarding human trafficking penalties by certain schools.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Education Agency is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 37.086, Education Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 37.086(a), (b), and (c), Education Code, as follows:

(a) Provides that in Section 37.086 (Required Posting of Warning Signs of Increased Trafficking Penalties), "school" means a public primary or secondary school. Deletes existing text providing that "premises" has the meaning assigned by Section 481.134 (Drug-Free Zones), Health and Safety Code.

(b) Requires each public school to post warning signs of the increased penalties for trafficking of persons under Section 20A.02(b-1)(2) (relating to the punishment for the trafficking of persons when the offense was committed on the premises or within 1,000 feet of an official school function or event sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League), Penal Code, in a conspicuous place reasonably likely to be viewed by all school employees and visitors, rather than by all persons entering the premises. Deletes existing text requiring that each school post warning signs of the increased penalties for trafficking of persons under Section 20A.02(b-1)(2), Penal Code, at certain locations.

(c) Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA), in consultation with the human trafficking prevention task force (task force) created under Section 402.035 (Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force), Government Code, to adopt rules regarding the wording for the warning signs required under this section and requiring that each warning sign meet certain criteria. Deletes existing text requiring TEA, in consultation with the task force created under Section 402.035, Government Code, to adopt rules regarding the placement, installation, design, size, and maintenance procedures for the warning signs required under this section. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.