BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1283
80R8925 SLO-F By: Van de Putte
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, Section 20A.01, Penal Code, defines "forced labor and services" pertaining to victims of human trafficking. However, the definitions surrounding "forced labor and services" do not fully describe many victims of human trafficking and the ways in which they are threatened and coerced into rendering services. In many trafficking cases, the victims are forced to perform a labor or service as a result of threats to their family or to destroy their citizenship documents. The current definition fails to include threat of legal action, threats to others, and other ways that one is forced to render labor or services.
As proposed, S.B. 1283 enhances the legal definition of human trafficking in Texas.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 20A.01, Penal Code, to redefine "forced labor or services" and "traffic."
SECTION 2. Amends Section 20A.02(a), Penal Code, as follows:
(a) Provides that a person commits an offense if the person knowingly traffics another person with the intent or knowledge that the trafficked person will engage in forced labor or services or engage in conduct constituting an offense under Chapter 43 (Public Indecency), or if the person intentionally or knowingly benefits from participating in a venture by receiving labor or services described in this section.
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2007.