AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

In 2014, Texas accounted for almost 10 percent of all calls received by the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, second only to California.  On any given weekend night in Texas it is estimated that nearly 200 minors are being sexually exploited through the Internet and online escort services. The lack of resources and victim services with respect to human trafficking victims is well-documented. The number of victims far exceeds the number of safe houses available.

 

Currently, before a foster group home or foster family home (safe houses) may be opened in counties having 300,000 residents or less, it must disclose its location through a public notice and in a public hearing. This includes safe houses that serve child victims of human trafficking victims.

 

H.B. 2070 requires the Department of Family and Protective Services to waive the notice and hearing requirement for an applicant who submits an application to provide services at the applicant’s general residential operation for trafficking victims and removes the requirement for local, state, or federal law enforcement determination regarding the facility population and security concerns.

 

H.B. 2070 amends current law relating to the waiver of notification and hearing requirements for certain foster homes that provide shelter to victims of human trafficking.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 42.0462, as follows:

 

Sec. 42.0462.  WAIVER OF NOTICE AND HEARING REQUIREMENTS.  Requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), to protect the safety and well-being of residents and employees of a general residential operation that provides comprehensive residential services to children who are victims of trafficking, to waive the notice and hearing requirements imposed under Section 42.0461 (Public Notice and Hearing in Certain Counties:  Residential Child Care) for an applicant who submits to DFPS an application to provide trafficking victim services at the applicant's general residential operation.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.