Honorable Poncho Nevárez, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3800 by Thompson, Senfronia (Relating to required reporting of human trafficking cases by peace officers and prosecutors.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require a written report by peace officers to a university designated by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) on any investigations of human trafficking offenses. The bill would further require certain prosecutors who prosecute an offense for human trafficking to prepare and submit a written report on the prosecution to the university designated by OAG. OAG would be authorized to prescribe the form and manner of submission of the reports and information contained in these reports.
According to the Office of Court Administration (OCA), no significant impact to the State court system is anticipated.
According to OAG, there is no fiscal impact to the office. The office would contract with a university to analyze the information. The data would provide insight into various areas of concern about human trafficking to assist the Statewide Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force in the development of the state's strategic plan for human trafficking prevention. The responsibilities tasked to the office could be consolidated in its role as the head of the Statewide Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force.
Local Government Impact
According to OCA, no significant impact to local courts is anticipated.
According to the Texas Municipal League, no significant fiscal impact is anticipated.
According to Harris County, the bill would cost the County an estimated $200,000 to $225,000. In addition, the District Attorney for the County would required at least one addition FTE attorney and another additional FTE administrative staffer to handle the additional reports required by this bill.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General