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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of the human trafficking prevention |
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business partnership. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 405, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 405.023 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 405.023. HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION BUSINESS |
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PARTNERSHIP. (a) In this section, "partnership" means the human |
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trafficking prevention business partnership. |
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(b) The secretary of state by rule shall establish and |
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implement a program designated as the human trafficking prevention |
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business partnership to engage participating corporations and |
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other private entities in voluntary efforts to prevent and combat |
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human trafficking. |
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(c) The secretary of state shall present a certificate of |
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recognition to a participating corporation or private entity to |
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recognize the corporation's or entity's contributions to the |
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efforts of federal, state, and local officials engaged in |
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combatting human trafficking and prosecuting human trafficking |
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crimes. |
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(d) A corporation or other private entity that participates |
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in the partnership shall: |
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(1) adopt a zero tolerance policy toward human |
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trafficking; |
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(2) take measures to ensure that the corporation's or |
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entity's employees comply with the policy adopted under Subdivision |
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(1); |
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(3) participate in public awareness and education |
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campaigns; |
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(4) enhance awareness of and encourage participation |
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in the partnership; and |
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(5) share with the secretary of state best practices |
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that are effective in combatting human trafficking. |
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(e) The secretary of state shall work collaboratively with |
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other state agencies to promote the partnership. |
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(f) The secretary of state may use private and philanthropic |
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resources to support the work of the partnership. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2015, the secretary of |
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state shall establish the program designated as the human |
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trafficking prevention business partnership as required under |
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Section 405.023, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2511 was passed by the House on May 5, |
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2015, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 2, 2 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2511 was passed by the Senate on May |
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27, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |