BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1272

By: Thompson, Senfronia

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

During the 81st Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature created the human trafficking prevention task force in an effort to create a statewide partnership between law enforcement agencies, social service providers, nongovernmental organizations, legal representatives, and state agencies that fight against human trafficking. The task force works to develop policies and procedures to assist in the prevention and prosecution of human trafficking crimes and to propose legislative recommendations that better protect both adult and child victims. H.B. 1272 seeks to allow the task force to further its efforts by continuing the task force for another two years and expanding the task force's duties.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1272 amends the Government Code to add to the duties of the human trafficking prevention task force working with the Texas Education Agency and the Health and Human Services Commission to develop a list of key indicators that a person is a victim of human trafficking; to develop a standardized curriculum for training doctors, nurses, emergency medical services personnel, teachers, school counselors, and school administrators to identify victims of human trafficking; and to train those professionals to identify victims of human trafficking. The bill extends the expiration date of the task force from September 1, 2013, to September 1, 2015.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.