AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The month of January was recently designated by presidential proclamation as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. This designation aided in spreading public awareness and educating individuals on how to avoid becoming a victim of human trafficking. Interested parties recognize a benefit to making a similar designation at the state level. H.B. 2290 seeks to complement federal efforts to increase human trafficking-related outreach and education.

 

H.B. 2290 amends the Government Code to designate January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month to increase awareness of human trafficking in an effort to encourage people to alert authorities to any suspected incidents involving human trafficking. The bill authorizes Human Trafficking Prevention Month to be regularly observed through appropriate activities in public schools and other places to increase awareness and prevention of human trafficking.

 

H.B. 2290 amends current law to designate January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

 

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 D, Chapter 662, Government Code, by adding Section 662.107, as follows:

 

Sec. 662.107. HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH. (a) Provides that January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month to increase awareness of human trafficking in an effort to encourage people to alert authorities to any suspected incidents involving human trafficking.

 

(b) Provides that Human Trafficking Prevention Month may be regularly observed through appropriate activities in public schools and other places to increase awareness and prevention of human trafficking.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.