By: Thompson of Harris, et al. H.B. No. 3772
        (Senate Sponsor - Parker)
         (In the Senate - Received from the House May 2, 2023;
  May 4, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Business &
  Commerce; May 19, 2023, reported favorably by the following vote:  
  Yeas 11, Nays 0; May 19, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
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 to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER K.  COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
         Sec. 51.551.  ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES. The department
  may 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 the information without the
  necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under
  Subchapter G, Chapter 552, Government Code.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
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