AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Officials across the United States have identified more than 100 goods produced globally through child labor and forced labor. Concerned parties assert that such labor taints the supply chains of goods produced and consumed in Texas and that businesses should be proactive in ensuring that labor trafficking, either domestically or abroad, does not corrupt the production of goods. It has also been observed that businesses can play a role in addressing sex trafficking as well, as entities that unintentionally serve as venues for and profit from the activities of sex traffickers can take steps to promote awareness and training to reduce incidents of this criminal activity on their premises. In order to promote voluntary efforts to fight human trafficking crimes by the business community, H.B. 2511 seeks to create a human trafficking business partnership program in the office of the Texas secretary of state.

 

H.B. 2511 amends current law relating to the creation of the human trafficking prevention business partnership.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas secretary of state in SECTION 1 (Section 405.023, Government Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 405, Government Code, by adding Section 405.023, as follows:

 

Sec. 405.023.  HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP.  (a)  Defines "partnership" to mean the human trafficking prevention business partnership.

 

(b)  Requires the Texas secretary of state (SOS) by rule to establish and implement a program designated as the human trafficking prevention business partnership to engage participating corporations and other private entities in voluntary efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking.

 

(c)  Requires SOS to present a certificate of recognition to a participating corporation or private entity to recognize the corporation's or entity's contributions to the efforts of federal, state, and local officials engaged in combatting human trafficking and prosecuting human trafficking crimes.

 

(d)  Requires a corporation or other private entity that participates in the partnership to:

 

(1)  adopt a zero tolerance policy toward human trafficking;

 

(2)  take measures to ensure that the corporation's or entity's employees comply with the policy adopted under Subdivision (1);

 

(3)  participate in public awareness and education campaigns;

 

(4)  enhance awareness of and encourage participation in the partnership; and

 

(5)  share with SOS best practices that are effective in combatting human trafficking.

 

(e)  Requires SOS to work collaboratively with other state agencies to promote the partnership.

 

(f)  Authorizes SOS to use private and philanthropic resources to support the work of the partnership.

 

SECTION 2.  Requires SOS, not later than December 1, 2015, to establish the program designated as the human trafficking prevention business partnership as required under Section 405.023, Government Code, as added by this Act.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.