86R1512 SMT-D
 
  By: Lucio S.B. No. 291
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a human trafficking unit within
  the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 411.02096 to read as follows:
         Sec. 411.02096.  HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNIT. (a) In this
  section:
               (1)  "Human trafficking" means conduct that
  constitutes an offense under Section 20A.02, Penal Code.
               (2)  "Unit" means the human trafficking unit
  established by this section.
         (b)  A human trafficking unit is created within the
  department to investigate and combat human trafficking.
         (c)  The unit shall collaborate with federal and local law
  enforcement agencies to investigate human trafficking and arrest
  persons determined to have engaged in human trafficking.
         (d)  The department shall provide specialized training for
  peace officers assigned to the unit.
         (e)  The department shall develop guidelines and protocols
  designed to minimize intrusion on a human trafficking victim who
  has an encounter with a peace officer performing a duty of the unit
  under this section.
         (f)  The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement
  this section.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than September 1, 2020, the Department
  of Public Safety of the State of Texas shall establish the human
  trafficking unit under Section 411.02096, Government Code, as added
  by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.