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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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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. |
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Chapter 405, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding new Subchapter D, Section 405.041, to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER D. HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP |
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Sec. 405.041. 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 office of the secretary of state by rule shall |
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establish and implement a program designated as the human |
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trafficking prevention business partnership to engage |
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participating corporations and other private entities in voluntary |
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efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking. |
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(c) The office of the secretary of state shall present a |
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certificate of recognition to a participating corporation or |
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private entity to recognize the corporation's or entity's |
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contributions to the efforts of federal, state, and local officials |
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engaged in combatting human trafficking and prosecuting human |
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trafficking 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 office of the secretary of state |
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best practices that are effective in combatting human trafficking. |
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(e) The office of the secretary of state shall work |
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collaboratively with other state agencies to promote the |
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partnership. |
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(f) The office of the secretary of state may use private and |
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philanthropic resources to support the work of the partnership. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2015, the office of |
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the secretary of state shall establish the program designated as |
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the human trafficking prevention business partnership as required |
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under Section 405.041, 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. |