88R16528 TYPED
 
  By: Thompson of Harris H.B. No. 3772
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to combating human trafficking by the Texas Department of
  Licensing and Regulation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter K, and a heading is added to that subchapter to
  read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER K. COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter K, Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 51.551, 51.552, and 51.553 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 51.551.  ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES. The department
  is authorized to combat human trafficking by:
               (1)  establishing within the department an
  anti-trafficking unit;
               (2)  identifying businesses operating within
  industries regulated by the department that are impacted by human
  trafficking; and
               (3)  coordinating with:
                     (A)  the office of the attorney general, including
  any council, task force, or work group established by that office to
  combat human trafficking;
                     (B)  local, state, and federal law enforcement
  agencies; and
               (C)  any nongovernmental entity engaged in efforts to
  combat human trafficking or assist victims.
         Sec. 51.552.  RULES. The commission may adopt rules to
  combat human trafficking for any program regulated by the
  department, including rules for conducting inspections and
  investigations under Section 51.351.
         Sec. 51.553.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS IDENTIFYING
  VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. (a) Information that identifies an
  individual as a victim of human trafficking is confidential and
  excepted from disclosure under Section 552.021, Government Code.
         (b)  The department may withhold information under
  Subsection (a) without the necessity of requesting a decision from
  the attorney general under Subchapter G, Chapter 552, Government
  Code.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.