Honorable Dan Huberty, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB2039 by Zaffirini (Relating to the development of instructional modules and training for public schools on the prevention of sexual abuse and sex trafficking and participation by the human trafficking prevention task force in that development.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Education Code to require the commissioner, in cooperation with the Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, to develop one or more sexual abuse and sex trafficking instructional modules that a school district may use in the district health curriculum. In addition, the bill would require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt and implement policies on sex trafficking, including prevention training and a referral protocol, to be included in district improvement plans. The bill would permit districts and charter schools to collaborate with local law enforcement and outside consultants to develop policies and create a referral protocol.
The bill would result in some costs related to technical development of online sex trafficking prevention modules, including costs for interactives, video materials, focus group review, web hosting, and delivery and distribution of the modules. Some operating expenses associated with updating rules and resources and maintaining online materials would be ongoing. It is anticipated that the sexual abuse and sex trafficking module required by the bill would be developed by the Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force created under Chapter 402 of the Government Code. Any costs associated with the bill could be collaboratively assumed by all members of the task force, as the bill requires cooperation with the Commissioner of Education.
It is assumed that all other duties and responsibilities associated with the bill, including program support and updating rules and resources, could be absorbed by existing staff and resources, based on information provided by the Texas Education Agency, Office of Court Administration, Governor's Office Trusteed Programs, Office of the Attorney General, Texas Workforce Commission, Department of Public Safety, Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Health and Human Services Commission, Department of Family and Protective Services, Juvenile Justice Department, Department of Criminal Justice, and Parks and Wildlife Department.
The bill would take effect immediately if it received a vote of two-thirds of all elected members of each chamber of the Legislature, or otherwise on September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
The bill would require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt policies on sexual trafficking. The fiscal impact would depend on the policies adopted, but it is assumed that costs would be minimal and could be absorbed by existing staff and resources.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 300 Trusteed Programs Within the Office of the Governor, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 320 Texas Workforce Commission, 405 Department of Public Safety, 458 Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 530 Family and Protective Services, Department of, 644 Juvenile Justice Department, 696 Department of Criminal Justice, 701 Texas Education Agency, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department