The Joint Committee to Study Human Trafficking

82nd Legislature

June 26, 2012

10:00 a.m.

AACOG Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Dr., San Antonio, TX

Pursuant to a notice posted on May 30, 2012, the Joint Committee to Study Human Trafficking met in a public hearing and was called to order by the co-chair, Senator Van de Putte, at 10:02 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Thompson; Burkett; Fletcher; Harless; Hunter; Gonzalez, Naomi; Munoz, Jr.; and Senators Van de Putte; and Hegar.

Sen. Van de Putte, co-chair, gave opening remarks.

Rep. Thompson, co-chair, gave opening remarks.

Rep. Thompson introduced House members.

Sen. Van de Putte introduced Senate members.

Sen. Van de Putte, co-chair, announced to the witnesses that by signing the witness affirmation forms they agreed to give their testimony under oath.

Charge: Study the services available for victims of human trafficking, including the long-range needs for safe houses and shelters and best practices for public/private partnerships providing services to victims; Review procedures and services available for youth that have been identified as sex trafficking victims.

Testimony taken. (see attached witness list)

(Representative Thompson in chair.)

(Representative Riddle now present.)

Testimony continued. (See attached witness list.)

(Senator Van de Putte in chair.)

Sen. Van de Putte called for an official roll call at 10:28 a.m. The roll call was answered as follows: Representatives Thompson; Burkett; Fletcher; Gonzalez, Naomi; Harless; Hunter; Munoz, Jr.; Riddle; Senators Van de Putte; Hegar; and Wentworth.

A quorum was present.

Testimony continued (see attached witness list)

Sen. Van de Putte introduced Senate staff.

Rep. Thompson introduced House staff.

Testimony continued. (See attached witness list.)

Without objection, Sen. Van de Putte instructed committee staff to redact all information, excluding first name only, pertaining to any forms and testimony, orally or written, given by victims of human trafficking.  In addition to further protect the identity of human trafficking victims, all audio/video and  media outlets were instructed to blur the faces and disguise the voices of victims of human trafficking in any recordings.

Testimony taken, (See attached witness list.)

Without objection, Sen. Van de Putte moved that the committee stand at ease at 11:56 a.m. 

At 12:10 pm, Sen. Van de Putte called the committee back to order.

Testimony taken. (See attached witness list.)

(Rep. Thompson in chair)

Testimony continued. (See attached witness list.)

(Sen. Van de Putte now chair.)

Testimony continued. (See attached witness list.)

Sen. Van de Putte made announcements concerning upcoming meeting in Houston.

At 2:41 p.m., on the motion of Senator Van de Putte and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the co-chairs.

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Sen. Van de Putte, Co-Chair

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Rep. Thompson, Co-Chair

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 Servando Esparza, Clerk