BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 1219

 

By: Alvarado

 

Transportation

 

6/11/2019

 

Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

There is currently no law requiring the posting of the National Human Trafficking Hotline number and human trafficking awareness information in publicly conspicuous zones of transportation hubs. Human trafficking is an increasingly prevalent issue in Texas. Human trafficking depends on transportation to operate, especially in a state as expansive as Texas. Often human traffickers utilize public transportation, trains, buses, taxis, and rental or personal vehicles to transport victims around or outside of the state. These transportation hubs are key locations for victims to find a means of escape, or for outside observers to report suspicious activity. It is essential to provide information about the indicators of human trafficking as well as the National Human Trafficking Hotline in order to increase awareness of the public in the event that one may come in contact with a potential human trafficking situation at a transit hub. S.B. 1219 will require transportation hubs to post information on the indicators of human trafficking as well as the National Human Trafficking Hotline number in publicly conspicuous zones. These transportation hubs include but may not be limited to buses, bus stops, rest stops, airports, trains, and train stations. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

S.B. 1219 amends current law relating to human trafficking signs at certain transportation hubs.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas attorney general in SECTION 1 (Section 402.0351, Government Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 402, Government Code, by adding Section 402.0351, as follow:

 

Sec. 402.0351. REQUIRED POSTING OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING SIGNS AT CERTAIN TRANSPORTATION HUBS. (a) Defines "transportation hub."

 

(b) Requires the Texas attorney general (attorney general) by rule to prescribe the design and content of a sign regarding services and assistance available to victims of human trafficking to be displayed at transportation hubs. Requires the sign to be in both English and Spanish and to include certain information.

 

(c) Requires the attorney general by rule to prescribe the transportation hubs that are required to post a sign described by Subsection (b).

 

(d) Requires a person who operates a transportation hub that is required to post a sign under Subsection (c) to post a sign described by Subsection (b) at the transportation hub. Requires the attorney general to:

 

(1) by rule prescribe the manner the sign is required be displayed at the transportation hub and any exceptions to the sign posting requirement under this section; and

 

(2) enforce this section.

 

(e) Requires the attorney general, in adopting rules under Subsection (b), to consult with the Texas Department of Transportation.

 

SECTION 2. Requires the attorney general, not later than September 1, 2020, to adopt the rules required by Section 402.0351, Government Code, as added by this Act.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2019.