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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