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AN ACT
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relating to regulation of certain facilities and establishments |
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with respect to, civil remedies for certain criminal activities |
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affecting, and certain criminal offenses involving health, safety, |
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and welfare; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal |
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penalties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 11.44(b), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The commission shall deny an application for a permit or |
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license for any location of an applicant who submitted a prior |
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application that expired or was voluntarily surrendered before the |
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hearing on the application was held on a protest involving |
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allegations of prostitution, a shooting, stabbing, or other violent |
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act, or an offense involving drugs, [or] trafficking of persons, or |
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drink solicitation as described by Section 104.01 before the third |
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anniversary of the date the prior application expired or was |
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voluntarily surrendered. |
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SECTION 2. Section 11.46(c), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(c) The commission shall deny for a period of one year after |
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cancellation an application for a mixed beverage permit or private |
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club registration permit for a premises where a license or permit |
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has been canceled during the preceding 12 months as a result of: |
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(1) a shooting, stabbing, or other violent act;[,] or |
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(2) [as a result of] an offense involving drugs, |
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prostitution, [or] trafficking of persons, or drink solicitation as |
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described by Section 104.01. |
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SECTION 3. Section 61.42(c), Alcoholic Beverage Code, as |
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effective September 1, 2021, is amended to read as follows: |
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(c) The commission shall deny for a period of one year an |
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application for a retail dealer's on-premise license or a wine and |
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malt beverage retailer's permit for a premises where a license or |
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permit has been canceled during the preceding 12 months as a result |
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of: |
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(1) a shooting, stabbing, or other violent act; [,] or |
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(2) [as a result of] an offense involving drugs, |
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prostitution, [or] trafficking of persons, or drink solicitation as |
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described by Section 104.01. |
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SECTION 4. Chapter 98, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 98.007 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 98.007. CONFIDENTIAL IDENTITY IN CERTAIN ACTIONS. (a) |
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In this section, "confidential identity" means: |
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(1) the use of a pseudonym; and |
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(2) the absence of any other identifying information, |
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including address, telephone number, and social security number. |
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(b) Except as otherwise provided by this section, in an |
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action under this chapter, the court shall: |
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(1) make it known to the claimant as early as possible |
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in the proceedings of the action that the claimant may use a |
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confidential identity in relation to the action; |
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(2) allow a claimant to use a confidential identity in |
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all petitions, filings, and other documents presented to the court; |
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(3) use the confidential identity in all of the court's |
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proceedings and records relating to the action, including any |
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appellate proceedings; and |
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(4) maintain the records relating to the action in a |
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manner that protects the confidentiality of the claimant. |
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(c) In an action under this chapter, only the following |
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persons are entitled to know the true identifying information about |
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the claimant: |
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(1) the judge; |
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(2) a party to the action; |
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(3) the attorney representing a party to the action; |
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and |
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(4) a person authorized by a written order of a court |
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specific to that person. |
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(d) The court shall order that a person entitled to know the |
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true identifying information under Subsection (c) may not divulge |
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that information to anyone without a written order of the court. A |
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court shall hold a person who violates the order in contempt. |
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(e) Notwithstanding Section 22.004, Government Code, the |
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supreme court may not amend or adopt rules in conflict with this |
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section. |
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(f) A claimant is not required to use a confidential |
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identity as provided by this section. |
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SECTION 5. Section 125.0017, Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, as added by Chapter 858 (H.B. 2552), Acts of the 85th |
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Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 125.0017. NOTICE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OF [ARREST FOR] |
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CERTAIN ACTIVITIES. If a law enforcement agency has reason to |
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believe [makes an arrest related to] an activity described by |
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Section 125.0015(a)(6), (7), or (18) has occurred [that occurs] at |
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property leased to a person operating a massage establishment as |
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defined by Section 455.001, Occupations Code, [not later than the |
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seventh day after the date of the arrest,] the law enforcement |
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agency may [shall] provide written notice by certified mail to each |
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person maintaining the property of the alleged activity [arrest]. |
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SECTION 6. Section 125.0025(b), Civil Practice and Remedies |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Except as provided by Section 125.005 [125.003(d)], on a |
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finding that a web address or computer network is a common nuisance, |
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the sole remedy available is a judicial finding issued to the |
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attorney general. |
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SECTION 7. Sections 125.004(a-1) and (a-2), Civil Practice |
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and Remedies Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a-1) Proof in the form of a person's arrest or the |
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testimony of a law enforcement agent that an activity described by |
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Section 125.0015(a)(6) or (7) is committed at a place licensed as a |
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massage establishment under Chapter 455, Occupations Code, or |
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advertised as offering massage therapy or massage services, after |
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notice [of an arrest] was provided to the defendant in accordance |
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with Section 125.0017, is prima facie evidence that the defendant: |
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(1) knowingly tolerated the activity; and |
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(2) did not make a reasonable attempt to abate the |
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activity. |
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(a-2) Proof that an activity described by Section |
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125.0015(a)(18) is committed at a place maintained by the |
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defendant, after notice [of an arrest] was provided to the |
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defendant in accordance with Section 125.0017, is prima facie |
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evidence that the defendant: |
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(1) knowingly tolerated the activity; and |
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(2) did not make a reasonable attempt to abate the |
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activity. |
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SECTION 8. Section 125.004(a-3), Civil Practice and |
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Remedies Code, as added by Chapter 858 (H.B. 2552), Acts of the 85th |
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Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, is amended to read as follows: |
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(a-3) For purposes of Subsections (a-1) and (a-2), notice is |
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considered to be provided to the defendant the earlier of: |
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(1) seven days after the postmark date of the notice |
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provided under Section 125.0017; or |
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(2) the date the defendant actually received notice |
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under Section 125.0017. |
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SECTION 9. Subchapter A, Chapter 125, Civil Practice and |
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Remedies Code, is amended by adding Section 125.005 to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 125.005. ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS IN ACTION UNDER |
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CHAPTER. In an action brought under this chapter, the court may |
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award a prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees in addition to |
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costs incurred in bringing the action. In determining the amount of |
|
attorney's fees, the court shall consider: |
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(1) the time and labor involved; |
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(2) the novelty and difficulty of the questions; |
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(3) the expertise, reputation, and ability of the |
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attorney; and |
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(4) any other factor considered relevant by the court. |
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SECTION 10. Section 125.070(d), Civil Practice and Remedies |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(d) A district, county, or city attorney or the attorney |
|
general may sue for money damages on behalf of the state or a |
|
governmental entity. If the state or a governmental entity |
|
prevails in a suit under this section, the state or governmental |
|
entity may recover: |
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(1) actual damages; |
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(2) a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $20,000 |
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for each violation; and |
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(3) court costs and attorney's fees in accordance with |
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Section 125.005. |
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SECTION 11. Section 140A.002, Civil Practice and Remedies |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 140A.002. CIVIL RACKETEERING. A person or enterprise |
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commits racketeering if, for financial gain, the person or |
|
enterprise commits an offense under Chapter 20A, Penal Code |
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(trafficking of persons)[, and the offense or an element of the |
|
offense: |
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[(1) occurs in more than one county in this state; or |
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[(2) is facilitated by the use of United States mail, |
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e-mail, telephone, facsimile, or a wireless communication from one |
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county in this state to another]. |
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SECTION 12. Section 140A.102(b), Civil Practice and |
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Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Following a final determination of liability under this |
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chapter, the court may issue an appropriate order, including an |
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order that: |
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(1) requires a person to divest any direct or indirect |
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interest in an enterprise; |
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(2) imposes reasonable restrictions on the future |
|
activities or investments of a person that affect the laws of this |
|
state, including prohibiting a person from engaging in the type of |
|
endeavor or enterprise that gave rise to the racketeering offense, |
|
to the extent permitted by the constitutions of this state and the |
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United States; |
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(3) requires the dissolution or reorganization of an |
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enterprise involved in the suit; |
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(4) orders the recovery of reasonable fees, expenses, |
|
and costs incurred in obtaining injunctive relief or civil remedies |
|
or in conducting investigations under this chapter, including court |
|
costs, investigation costs, attorney's fees, witness fees, and |
|
deposition fees; |
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(5) orders payment to the state of an amount equal to: |
|
(A) the gain acquired or maintained through |
|
racketeering; or |
|
(B) the amount for which a person is liable under |
|
this chapter; |
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(6) orders payment to the state of a civil penalty by a |
|
person or enterprise found liable for racketeering, in an amount |
|
not to exceed $250,000 for each separately alleged and proven act of |
|
racketeering; |
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(7) orders payment of damages to the state for |
|
racketeering shown to have materially damaged the state; and [or] |
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(8) orders that property attached under Chapter 61 be |
|
used to satisfy an award of the court, including damages, |
|
penalties, costs, and fees. |
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SECTION 13. Section 140A.104(d), Civil Practice and |
|
Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) An enterprise may not be held liable under this chapter |
|
based on the conduct of a person [an agent] unless the finder of |
|
fact finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a director or |
|
high managerial agent performed, authorized, requested, commanded, |
|
participated in, ratified, or recklessly tolerated the unlawful |
|
conduct of the person [agent]. |
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SECTION 14. Articles 42A.453(a) and (c), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In this article, "playground," "premises," "school," |
|
"video arcade facility," and "youth center" have the meanings |
|
assigned by Section 481.134, Health and Safety Code, and "general |
|
residential operation" has the meaning assigned by Section 42.002, |
|
Human Resources Code. |
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(c) If a judge grants community supervision to a defendant |
|
described by Subsection (b) and the judge determines that a child as |
|
defined by Section 22.011(c), Penal Code, was the victim of the |
|
offense, the judge shall establish a child safety zone applicable |
|
to the defendant by requiring as a condition of community |
|
supervision that the defendant: |
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(1) not: |
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(A) supervise or participate in any program that: |
|
(i) includes as participants or recipients |
|
persons who are 17 years of age or younger; and |
|
(ii) regularly provides athletic, civic, or |
|
cultural activities; or |
|
(B) go in, on, or within 1,000 feet of a premises |
|
where children commonly gather, including a school, day-care |
|
facility, playground, public or private youth center, public |
|
swimming pool, [or] video arcade facility, or general residential |
|
operation operating as a residential treatment center; and |
|
(2) attend psychological counseling sessions for sex |
|
offenders with an individual or organization that provides sex |
|
offender treatment or counseling as specified or approved by the |
|
judge or the defendant's supervision officer. |
|
SECTION 15. Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 301.0221 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 301.0221. USE OF PSEUDONYM BY VICTIMS OF HUMAN |
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TRAFFICKING. (a) Each legislative committee shall allow a witness |
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who is the victim of an offense under Section 20A.02 or 20A.03, |
|
Penal Code, to give testimony to the committee relating to the |
|
witness's experience as a victim of trafficking of persons using a |
|
pseudonym instead of the witness's name. |
|
(b) The name of a witness who uses a pseudonym authorized by |
|
Subsection (a) is confidential and may not be included in any public |
|
records of the committee. |
|
SECTION 16. Section 481.134(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subdivision (8) to read as follows: |
|
(8) "General residential operation" has the meaning |
|
assigned by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code. |
|
SECTION 17. Sections 481.134(b), (c), (d), (e), and (f), |
|
Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) An offense otherwise punishable as a state jail felony |
|
under Section 481.112, 481.1121, 481.113, 481.114, or 481.120 is |
|
punishable as a felony of the third degree, and an offense otherwise |
|
punishable as a felony of the second degree under any of those |
|
sections is punishable as a felony of the first degree, if it is |
|
shown at the punishment phase of the trial of the offense that the |
|
offense was committed: |
|
(1) in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, |
|
rented, or leased by an institution of higher learning, the |
|
premises of a public or private youth center, or a playground; [or] |
|
(2) in, on, or within 300 feet of the premises of a |
|
public swimming pool or video arcade facility; or |
|
(3) by any unauthorized person 18 years of age or |
|
older, in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, rented, or |
|
leased by a general residential operation operating as a |
|
residential treatment center. |
|
(c) The minimum term of confinement or imprisonment for an |
|
offense otherwise punishable under Section 481.112(c), (d), (e), or |
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(f), 481.1121(b)(2), (3), or (4), 481.113(c), (d), or (e), |
|
481.114(c), (d), or (e), 481.115(c)-(f), 481.1151(b)(2), (3), (4), |
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or (5), 481.116(c), (d), or (e), 481.1161(b)(4), (5), or (6), |
|
481.117(c), (d), or (e), 481.118(c), (d), or (e), 481.120(b)(4), |
|
(5), or (6), or 481.121(b)(4), (5), or (6) is increased by five |
|
years and the maximum fine for the offense is doubled if it is shown |
|
on the trial of the offense that the offense was committed: |
|
(1) in, on, or within 1,000 feet of the premises of a |
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school, the premises of a public or private youth center, or a |
|
playground; [or] |
|
(2) on a school bus; or |
|
(3) by any unauthorized person 18 years of age or |
|
older, in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, rented, or |
|
leased by a general residential operation operating as a |
|
residential treatment center. |
|
(d) An offense otherwise punishable under Section |
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481.112(b), 481.1121(b)(1), 481.113(b), 481.114(b), 481.115(b), |
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481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(3), 481.120(b)(3), or |
|
481.121(b)(3) is a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the |
|
trial of the offense that the offense was committed: |
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(1) in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any real property |
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that is owned, rented, or leased to a school or school board, the |
|
premises of a public or private youth center, or a playground; [or] |
|
(2) on a school bus; or |
|
(3) by any unauthorized person 18 years of age or |
|
older, in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, rented, or |
|
leased by a general residential operation operating as a |
|
residential treatment center. |
|
(e) An offense otherwise punishable under Section |
|
481.117(b), 481.119(a), 481.120(b)(2), or 481.121(b)(2) is a state |
|
jail felony if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the |
|
offense was committed: |
|
(1) in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any real property |
|
that is owned, rented, or leased to a school or school board, the |
|
premises of a public or private youth center, or a playground; [or] |
|
(2) on a school bus; or |
|
(3) by any unauthorized person 18 years of age or |
|
older, in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, rented, or |
|
leased by a general residential operation operating as a |
|
residential treatment center. |
|
(f) An offense otherwise punishable under Section |
|
481.118(b), 481.119(b), 481.120(b)(1), or 481.121(b)(1) is a Class |
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A misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the |
|
offense was committed: |
|
(1) in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any real property |
|
that is owned, rented, or leased to a school or school board, the |
|
premises of a public or private youth center, or a playground; [or] |
|
(2) on a school bus; or |
|
(3) by any unauthorized person 18 years of age or |
|
older, in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, rented, or |
|
leased by a general residential operation operating as a |
|
residential treatment center. |
|
SECTION 18. Section 42.002, Human Resources Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subdivision (25) to read as follows: |
|
(25) "Grounds" means, with regard to property, the |
|
real property, whether fenced or unfenced, of the parcel of land on |
|
which is located any appurtenant building, structure, or other |
|
improvement, including a public or private driveway, street, |
|
sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, and parking garage on the |
|
property. |
|
SECTION 19. Sections 42.042(e), (g), and (g-2), Human |
|
Resources Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(e) The executive commissioner shall promulgate minimum |
|
standards that apply to licensed child-care facilities and to |
|
registered family homes covered by this chapter and that will: |
|
(1) promote the health, safety, and welfare of |
|
children attending a facility or registered family home; |
|
(2) promote safe, comfortable, and healthy physical |
|
facilities and registered family homes for children; |
|
(3) ensure adequate supervision of children by |
|
capable, qualified, and healthy personnel; |
|
(4) ensure adequate and healthy food service where |
|
food service is offered; |
|
(5) prohibit racial discrimination by child-care |
|
facilities and registered family homes; |
|
(6) require procedures for parental and guardian |
|
consultation in the formulation of children's educational and |
|
therapeutic programs; |
|
(7) prevent the breakdown of foster care and adoptive |
|
placement; [and] |
|
(8) ensure that a child-care facility or registered |
|
family home: |
|
(A) follows the directions of a child's physician |
|
or other health care provider in providing specialized medical |
|
assistance required by the child; and |
|
(B) maintains for a reasonable time a copy of any |
|
directions from the physician or provider that the parent provides |
|
to the facility or home; and |
|
(9) ensure that a child's health, safety, and welfare |
|
are adequately protected on the grounds of a child-care facility or |
|
registered family home. |
|
(g) In promulgating minimum standards the executive |
|
commissioner may recognize and treat differently the types of |
|
services provided by and the grounds appurtenant to the following: |
|
(1) listed family homes; |
|
(2) registered family homes; |
|
(3) child-care facilities, including general |
|
residential operations, cottage home operations, specialized |
|
child-care homes, group day-care homes, and day-care centers; |
|
(4) child-placing agencies; |
|
(5) agency foster homes; |
|
(6) continuum-of-care residential operations; |
|
(7) before-school or after-school programs; and |
|
(8) school-age programs. |
|
(g-2) The executive commissioner by rule shall adopt |
|
minimum standards that apply to general residential operations that |
|
provide comprehensive residential and nonresidential services to |
|
persons who are victims of trafficking under Section 20A.02, Penal |
|
Code. In adopting the minimum standards under this subsection, the |
|
executive commissioner shall consider: |
|
(1) the special circumstances, [and] needs, and |
|
precautions required of victims of trafficking of persons; [and] |
|
(2) the role of the general residential operations in |
|
assisting, [and] supporting, and protecting victims of trafficking |
|
of persons; and |
|
(3) the vulnerability of victims of trafficking of |
|
persons on the grounds of a general residential operation operating |
|
as a residential treatment center. |
|
SECTION 20. Subchapter C, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code, |
|
is amended by adding Section 42.068 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 42.068. REQUIRED POSTING OF NO TRESPASSING NOTICE; |
|
CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) Each general residential operation |
|
operating as a residential treatment center shall post "No |
|
Trespassing" notices on the grounds of the general residential |
|
operation in the following locations: |
|
(1) parallel to and along the exterior boundaries of |
|
the general residential operation's grounds; |
|
(2) at each roadway or other way of access to the |
|
grounds; |
|
(3) for grounds not fenced, at least every five |
|
hundred feet along the exterior boundaries of the grounds; |
|
(4) at each entrance to the grounds; and |
|
(5) at conspicuous places reasonably likely to be |
|
viewed by intruders. |
|
(b) Each "No Trespassing" notice posted on the grounds of a |
|
general residential operation operating as a residential treatment |
|
center must: |
|
(1) state that entry to the property is forbidden; |
|
(2) include a description of the provisions of |
|
Section 30.05, Penal Code, including the penalties for violating |
|
Section 30.05, Penal Code; |
|
(3) include the name and address of the person under |
|
whose authority the notice is posted; |
|
(4) be written in English and Spanish; and |
|
(5) be at least 8-1/2 by 11 inches in size. |
|
(c) The executive commissioner by rule shall determine and |
|
prescribe the requirements regarding the placement, installation, |
|
design, size, wording, and maintenance procedures for the "No |
|
Trespassing" notices. |
|
(d) The commission shall provide without charge to each |
|
general residential operation operating as a residential treatment |
|
center the number of "No Trespassing" notices required to comply |
|
with this section and rules adopted under this section. |
|
(e) A person who operates a general residential operation |
|
operating as a residential treatment center commits an offense if |
|
the commission provides "No Trespassing" notices to the facility |
|
and the person fails to display the "No Trespassing" notices on the |
|
operation's grounds as required by this section before the end of |
|
the 30th business day after the date the operation receives the |
|
notices. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. |
|
SECTION 21. Section 20A.01, Penal Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subdivisions (1-a), (2-a), and (2-b) to read as follows: |
|
(1-a) "Coercion" as defined by Section 1.07 includes: |
|
(A) destroying, concealing, confiscating, or |
|
withholding from a trafficked person, or threatening to destroy, |
|
conceal, confiscate, or withhold from a trafficked person, the |
|
person's actual or purported: |
|
(i) government records; or |
|
(ii) identifying information or documents; |
|
(B) causing a trafficked person, without the |
|
person's consent, to become intoxicated, as defined by Section |
|
49.01, to a degree that impairs the person's ability to appraise the |
|
nature of or resist engaging in any conduct, including performing |
|
or providing labor or services; or |
|
(C) withholding alcohol or a controlled |
|
substance to a degree that impairs the ability of a trafficked |
|
person with a chemical dependency, as defined by Section 462.001, |
|
Health and Safety Code, to appraise the nature of or resist engaging |
|
in any conduct, including performing or providing labor or |
|
services. |
|
(2-a) "Premises" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
481.134, Health and Safety Code. |
|
(2-b) "School" means a public or private primary or |
|
secondary school. |
|
SECTION 22. Sections 20A.02, Penal Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly: |
|
(1) traffics another person with the intent that the |
|
trafficked person engage in forced labor or services; |
|
(2) receives a benefit from participating in a venture |
|
that involves an activity described by Subdivision (1), including |
|
by receiving labor or services the person knows are forced labor or |
|
services; |
|
(3) traffics another person and, through force, fraud, |
|
or coercion, causes the trafficked person to engage in conduct |
|
prohibited by: |
|
(A) Section 43.02 (Prostitution); |
|
(B) Section 43.03 (Promotion of Prostitution); |
|
(B-1) Section 43.031 (Online Promotion of |
|
Prostitution); |
|
(C) Section 43.04 (Aggravated Promotion of |
|
Prostitution); |
|
(C-1) Section 43.041 (Aggravated Online |
|
Promotion of Prostitution); or |
|
(D) Section 43.05 (Compelling Prostitution); |
|
(4) receives a benefit from participating in a venture |
|
that involves an activity described by Subdivision (3) or engages |
|
in sexual conduct with a person trafficked in the manner described |
|
in Subdivision (3); |
|
(5) traffics a child with the intent that the |
|
trafficked child engage in forced labor or services; |
|
(6) receives a benefit from participating in a venture |
|
that involves an activity described by Subdivision (5), including |
|
by receiving labor or services the person knows are forced labor or |
|
services; |
|
(7) traffics a child and by any means causes the |
|
trafficked child to engage in, or become the victim of, conduct |
|
prohibited by: |
|
(A) Section 21.02 (Continuous Sexual Abuse of |
|
Young Child or Children); |
|
(B) Section 21.11 (Indecency with a Child); |
|
(C) Section 22.011 (Sexual Assault); |
|
(D) Section 22.021 (Aggravated Sexual Assault); |
|
(E) Section 43.02 (Prostitution); |
|
(E-1) Section 43.021 (Solicitation of |
|
Prostitution); |
|
(F) Section 43.03 (Promotion of Prostitution); |
|
(F-1) Section 43.031 (Online Promotion of |
|
Prostitution); |
|
(G) Section 43.04 (Aggravated Promotion of |
|
Prostitution); |
|
(G-1) Section 43.041 (Aggravated Online |
|
Promotion of Prostitution); |
|
(H) Section 43.05 (Compelling Prostitution); |
|
(I) Section 43.25 (Sexual Performance by a |
|
Child); |
|
(J) Section 43.251 (Employment Harmful to |
|
Children); or |
|
(K) Section 43.26 (Possession or Promotion of |
|
Child Pornography); or |
|
(8) receives a benefit from participating in a venture |
|
that involves an activity described by Subdivision (7) or engages |
|
in sexual conduct with a child trafficked in the manner described in |
|
Subdivision (7). |
|
(b) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection and |
|
Subsection (b-1), an offense under this section is a felony of the |
|
second degree. An offense under this section is a felony of the |
|
first degree if: |
|
(1) the applicable conduct constitutes an offense |
|
under Subsection (a)(5), (6), (7), or (8), regardless of whether |
|
the actor knows the age of the child at the time of the offense; |
|
(2) the commission of the offense results in the death |
|
of the person who is trafficked; [or] |
|
(3) the commission of the offense results in the death |
|
of an unborn child of the person who is trafficked; or |
|
(4) the actor recruited, enticed, or obtained the |
|
victim of the offense from a shelter or facility operating as a |
|
residential treatment center that serves runaway youth, foster |
|
children, the homeless, or persons subjected to human trafficking, |
|
domestic violence, or sexual assault. |
|
(b-1) An offense under this section is a felony of the first |
|
degree punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of |
|
Criminal Justice for life or for a term of not more than 99 years or |
|
less than 25 years if it is shown on the trial of the offense that |
|
the actor committed the offense in a location that was: |
|
(1) on the premises of or within 1,000 feet of the |
|
premises of a school; or |
|
(2) on premises or within 1,000 feet of premises |
|
where: |
|
(A) an official school function was taking place; |
|
or |
|
(B) an event sponsored or sanctioned by the |
|
University Interscholastic League was taking place. |
|
SECTION 23. Section 30.05(a), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(a) A person commits an offense if the person enters or |
|
remains on or in property of another, including residential land, |
|
agricultural land, a recreational vehicle park, a building, a |
|
general residential operation operating as a residential treatment |
|
center, or an aircraft or other vehicle, without effective consent |
|
and the person: |
|
(1) had notice that the entry was forbidden; or |
|
(2) received notice to depart but failed to do so. |
|
SECTION 24. Section 30.05(b), Penal Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subdivision (13) to read as follows: |
|
(13) "General residential operation" has the meaning |
|
assigned by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code. |
|
SECTION 25. Section 30.05(d), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(d) An offense under this section is: |
|
(1) a Class B misdemeanor, except as provided by |
|
Subdivisions (2) and (3); |
|
(2) a Class C misdemeanor, except as provided by |
|
Subdivision (3), if the offense is committed: |
|
(A) on agricultural land and within 100 feet of |
|
the boundary of the land; or |
|
(B) on residential land and within 100 feet of a |
|
protected freshwater area; and |
|
(3) a Class A misdemeanor if: |
|
(A) the offense is committed: |
|
(i) in a habitation or a shelter center; |
|
(ii) on a Superfund site; or |
|
(iii) on or in a critical infrastructure |
|
facility; |
|
(B) the offense is committed on or in property of |
|
an institution of higher education and it is shown on the trial of |
|
the offense that the person has previously been convicted of: |
|
(i) an offense under this section relating |
|
to entering or remaining on or in property of an institution of |
|
higher education; or |
|
(ii) an offense under Section 51.204(b)(1), |
|
Education Code, relating to trespassing on the grounds of an |
|
institution of higher education; [or] |
|
(C) the person carries a deadly weapon during the |
|
commission of the offense; or |
|
(D) the offense is committed on the property of |
|
or within a general residential operation operating as a |
|
residential treatment center. |
|
SECTION 26. Section 71.028(a), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(a) In this section: |
|
(1) "General residential operation" has the meaning |
|
assigned by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code. |
|
(2) "Institution of higher education," "playground," |
|
"premises," "school," "video arcade facility," and "youth center" |
|
have the meanings assigned by Section 481.134, Health and Safety |
|
Code. |
|
(3) [(2)] "Shopping mall" means an enclosed public |
|
walkway or hall area that connects retail, service, or professional |
|
establishments. |
|
SECTION 27. Section 71.028(c), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), the punishment |
|
prescribed for an offense described by Subsection (b) is increased |
|
to the punishment prescribed for the next highest category of |
|
offense if the actor is 17 years of age or older and it is shown |
|
beyond a reasonable doubt on the trial of the offense that the actor |
|
committed the offense at a location that was: |
|
(1) in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any: |
|
(A) real property that is owned, rented, or |
|
leased by a school or school board; |
|
(B) premises owned, rented, or leased by an |
|
institution of higher education; |
|
(C) premises of a public or private youth center; |
|
[or] |
|
(D) playground; or |
|
(E) general residential operation operating as a |
|
residential treatment center; |
|
(2) in, on, or within 300 feet of any: |
|
(A) shopping mall; |
|
(B) movie theater; |
|
(C) premises of a public swimming pool; or |
|
(D) premises of a video arcade facility; or |
|
(3) on a school bus. |
|
SECTION 28. Chapter 43, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
|
Section 43.021, and a heading is added to that section to read as |
|
follows: |
|
Sec. 43.021. SOLICITATION OF PROSTITUTION. |
|
SECTION 29. Sections 43.02(b) and (c-1), Penal Code, are |
|
transferred to Section 43.021, Penal Code, as added by this Act, |
|
redesignated as Sections 43.021(a) and (b), Penal Code, |
|
respectively, and amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) [(b)] A person commits an offense if the person |
|
knowingly offers or agrees to pay a fee to another person for the |
|
purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with that person or another. |
|
(b) [(c-1)] An offense under Subsection (a) [(b)] is a state |
|
jail felony [Class A misdemeanor], except that the offense is: |
|
(1) a [state jail] felony of the third degree if the |
|
actor has previously been convicted of an offense under Subsection |
|
(a) or under Section 43.02(b), as that law existed before September |
|
1, 2021 [(b)]; or |
|
(2) a felony of the second degree if the person with |
|
whom the actor agrees to engage in sexual conduct is: |
|
(A) younger than 18 years of age, regardless of |
|
whether the actor knows the age of the person at the time of the |
|
offense; |
|
(B) represented to the actor as being younger |
|
than 18 years of age; or |
|
(C) believed by the actor to be younger than 18 |
|
years of age. |
|
SECTION 30. Section 43.021, Penal Code, as added by this |
|
Act, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
|
(c) A conviction may be used for purposes of enhancement |
|
under this section or enhancement under Subchapter D, Chapter 12, |
|
but not under both this section and that subchapter. For purposes of |
|
enhancement of penalties under this section or Subchapter D, |
|
Chapter 12, a defendant is considered to have been previously |
|
convicted of an offense under this section or under Section |
|
43.02(b), as that law existed before September 1, 2021, if the |
|
defendant was adjudged guilty of the offense or entered a plea of |
|
guilty or nolo contendere in return for a grant of deferred |
|
adjudication, regardless of whether the sentence for the offense |
|
was ever imposed or whether the sentence was probated and the |
|
defendant was subsequently discharged from community supervision. |
|
SECTION 31. Section 25.06(a), Alcoholic Beverage Code, as |
|
effective September 1, 2021, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The commission shall deny an original application for a |
|
wine and malt beverage retailer's permit if the commission finds |
|
that the applicant, or the applicant's spouse, during the five |
|
years immediately preceding the application, was finally convicted |
|
of a felony or one of the following offenses: |
|
(1) prostitution or solicitation of prostitution; |
|
(2) a vagrancy offense involving moral turpitude; |
|
(3) bookmaking; |
|
(4) gambling or gaming; |
|
(5) an offense involving controlled substances as |
|
defined in Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, or other dangerous |
|
drugs; |
|
(6) a violation of this code resulting in the |
|
cancellation of a license or permit, or a fine of not less than |
|
$500; |
|
(7) more than three violations of this code relating |
|
to minors; |
|
(8) bootlegging; or |
|
(9) an offense involving firearms or a deadly weapon. |
|
SECTION 32. Section 69.06(a), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The commission shall deny an original application for a |
|
retail dealer's on-premise license if the commission finds that the |
|
applicant or the applicant's spouse, during the five years |
|
immediately preceding the application, was finally convicted of a |
|
felony or one of the following offenses: |
|
(1) prostitution or solicitation of prostitution; |
|
(2) a vagrancy offense involving moral turpitude; |
|
(3) bookmaking; |
|
(4) gambling or gaming; |
|
(5) an offense involving controlled substances as |
|
defined in the Texas Controlled Substances Act, including an |
|
offense involving a synthetic cannabinoid, or an offense involving |
|
other dangerous drugs; |
|
(6) a violation of this code resulting in the |
|
cancellation of a license or permit, or a fine of not less than |
|
$500; |
|
(7) more than three violations of this code relating |
|
to minors; |
|
(8) bootlegging; or |
|
(9) an offense involving firearms or a deadly weapon. |
|
SECTION 33. Section 125.0015(a), Civil Practice and |
|
Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person who maintains a place to which persons |
|
habitually go for the following purposes and who knowingly |
|
tolerates the activity and furthermore fails to make reasonable |
|
attempts to abate the activity maintains a common nuisance: |
|
(1) discharge of a firearm in a public place as |
|
prohibited by the Penal Code; |
|
(2) reckless discharge of a firearm as prohibited by |
|
the Penal Code; |
|
(3) engaging in organized criminal activity as a |
|
member of a combination as prohibited by the Penal Code; |
|
(4) delivery, possession, manufacture, or use of a |
|
substance or other item in violation of Chapter 481, Health and |
|
Safety Code; |
|
(5) gambling, gambling promotion, or communicating |
|
gambling information as prohibited by the Penal Code; |
|
(6) prostitution as described by Section 43.02, Penal |
|
Code, solicitation of prostitution as described by Section 43.021, |
|
Penal Code, promotion of prostitution as described by Section |
|
43.03, Penal Code, or aggravated promotion of prostitution as |
|
described by Section 43.04, [prohibited by the] Penal Code; |
|
(7) compelling prostitution as prohibited by the Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(8) commercial manufacture, commercial distribution, |
|
or commercial exhibition of obscene material as prohibited by the |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(9) aggravated assault as described by Section 22.02, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(10) sexual assault as described by Section 22.011, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(11) aggravated sexual assault as described by Section |
|
22.021, Penal Code; |
|
(12) robbery as described by Section 29.02, Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(13) aggravated robbery as described by Section 29.03, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(14) unlawfully carrying a weapon as described by |
|
Section 46.02, Penal Code; |
|
(15) murder as described by Section 19.02, Penal Code; |
|
(16) capital murder as described by Section 19.03, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(17) continuous sexual abuse of young child or |
|
children as described by Section 21.02, Penal Code; |
|
(18) massage therapy or other massage services in |
|
violation of Chapter 455, Occupations Code; |
|
(19) employing a minor at a sexually oriented business |
|
as defined by Section 243.002, Local Government Code; |
|
(20) trafficking of persons as described by Section |
|
20A.02, Penal Code; |
|
(21) sexual conduct or performance by a child as |
|
described by Section 43.25, Penal Code; |
|
(22) employment harmful to a child as described by |
|
Section 43.251, Penal Code; |
|
(23) criminal trespass as described by Section 30.05, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(24) disorderly conduct as described by Section 42.01, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(25) arson as described by Section 28.02, Penal Code; |
|
(26) criminal mischief as described by Section 28.03, |
|
Penal Code, that causes a pecuniary loss of $500 or more; or |
|
(27) a graffiti offense in violation of Section 28.08, |
|
Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 34. Article 17.45, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.45. CONDITIONS REQUIRING AIDS AND HIV INSTRUCTION. |
|
A magistrate may require as a condition of bond that a defendant |
|
charged with an offense under Section 43.02 or 43.021, Penal Code, |
|
receive counseling or education, or both, relating to acquired |
|
immune deficiency syndrome or human immunodeficiency virus. |
|
SECTION 35. Article 42A.751(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) At any time during the period of community supervision, |
|
the judge may issue a warrant for a violation of any condition of |
|
community supervision and cause a defendant convicted under Section |
|
43.02 or 43.021, Penal Code, Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, or |
|
Sections 485.031 through 485.035, Health and Safety Code, or placed |
|
on deferred adjudication community supervision after being charged |
|
with one of those offenses, to be subject to: |
|
(1) the control measures of Section 81.083, Health and |
|
Safety Code; and |
|
(2) the court-ordered-management provisions of |
|
Subchapter G, Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code. |
|
SECTION 36. Section 62.001(5), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(5) "Reportable conviction or adjudication" means a |
|
conviction or adjudication, including an adjudication of |
|
delinquent conduct or a deferred adjudication, that, regardless of |
|
the pendency of an appeal, is a conviction for or an adjudication |
|
for or based on: |
|
(A) a violation of Section 21.02 (Continuous |
|
sexual abuse of young child or children), 21.09 (Bestiality), 21.11 |
|
(Indecency with a child), 22.011 (Sexual assault), 22.021 |
|
(Aggravated sexual assault), or 25.02 (Prohibited sexual conduct), |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(B) a violation of Section 43.04 (Aggravated |
|
promotion of prostitution), 43.05 (Compelling prostitution), 43.25 |
|
(Sexual performance by a child), or 43.26 (Possession or promotion |
|
of child pornography), Penal Code; |
|
(B-1) a violation of Section 43.021 |
|
(Solicitation of Prostitution) [43.02 (Prostitution)], Penal Code, |
|
if the offense is punishable as a felony of the second degree [under |
|
Subsection (c-1)(2) of that section]; |
|
(C) a violation of Section 20.04(a)(4) |
|
(Aggravated kidnapping), Penal Code, if the actor committed the |
|
offense or engaged in the conduct with intent to violate or abuse |
|
the victim sexually; |
|
(D) a violation of Section 30.02 (Burglary), |
|
Penal Code, if the offense or conduct is punishable under |
|
Subsection (d) of that section and the actor committed the offense |
|
or engaged in the conduct with intent to commit a felony listed in |
|
Paragraph (A) or (C); |
|
(E) a violation of Section 20.02 (Unlawful |
|
restraint), 20.03 (Kidnapping), or 20.04 (Aggravated kidnapping), |
|
Penal Code, if, as applicable: |
|
(i) the judgment in the case contains an |
|
affirmative finding under Article 42.015; or |
|
(ii) the order in the hearing or the papers |
|
in the case contain an affirmative finding that the victim or |
|
intended victim was younger than 17 years of age; |
|
(F) the second violation of Section 21.08 |
|
(Indecent exposure), Penal Code, but not if the second violation |
|
results in a deferred adjudication; |
|
(G) an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation, as |
|
defined by Chapter 15, Penal Code, to commit an offense or engage in |
|
conduct listed in Paragraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (K), or (L); |
|
(H) a violation of the laws of another state, |
|
federal law, the laws of a foreign country, or the Uniform Code of |
|
Military Justice for or based on the violation of an offense |
|
containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements |
|
of an offense listed under Paragraph (A), (B), (B-1), (C), (D), (E), |
|
(G), (J), (K), or (L), but not if the violation results in a |
|
deferred adjudication; |
|
(I) the second violation of the laws of another |
|
state, federal law, the laws of a foreign country, or the Uniform |
|
Code of Military Justice for or based on the violation of an offense |
|
containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements |
|
of the offense of indecent exposure, but not if the second violation |
|
results in a deferred adjudication; |
|
(J) a violation of Section 33.021 (Online |
|
solicitation of a minor), Penal Code; |
|
(K) a violation of Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), |
|
(7), or (8) (Trafficking of persons), Penal Code; or |
|
(L) a violation of Section 20A.03 (Continuous |
|
trafficking of persons), Penal Code, if the offense is based partly |
|
or wholly on conduct that constitutes an offense under Section |
|
20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8) of that code. |
|
SECTION 37. Section 11.066, Education Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 11.066. ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICE BY TRUSTEE CONVICTED |
|
OF CERTAIN OFFENSES. A person is ineligible to serve as a member of |
|
the board of trustees of a school district if the person has been |
|
convicted of a felony or an offense under Section 43.021 |
|
[43.02(b)], Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 38. Section 51.03(b), Family Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(b) Conduct indicating a need for supervision is: |
|
(1) subject to Subsection (f), conduct, other than a |
|
traffic offense, that violates: |
|
(A) the penal laws of this state of the grade of |
|
misdemeanor that are punishable by fine only; or |
|
(B) the penal ordinances of any political |
|
subdivision of this state; |
|
(2) the voluntary absence of a child from the child's |
|
home without the consent of the child's parent or guardian for a |
|
substantial length of time or without intent to return; |
|
(3) conduct prohibited by city ordinance or by state |
|
law involving the inhalation of the fumes or vapors of paint and |
|
other protective coatings or glue and other adhesives and the |
|
volatile chemicals itemized in Section 485.001, Health and Safety |
|
Code; |
|
(4) an act that violates a school district's |
|
previously communicated written standards of student conduct for |
|
which the child has been expelled under Section 37.007(c), |
|
Education Code; |
|
(5) notwithstanding Subsection (a)(1), conduct |
|
described by Section 43.02 or 43.021 [43.02(a) or (b)], Penal Code; |
|
or |
|
(6) notwithstanding Subsection (a)(1), conduct that |
|
violates Section 43.261, Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 39. Section 261.001(1), Family Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(1) "Abuse" includes the following acts or omissions |
|
by a person: |
|
(A) mental or emotional injury to a child that |
|
results in an observable and material impairment in the child's |
|
growth, development, or psychological functioning; |
|
(B) causing or permitting the child to be in a |
|
situation in which the child sustains a mental or emotional injury |
|
that results in an observable and material impairment in the |
|
child's growth, development, or psychological functioning; |
|
(C) physical injury that results in substantial |
|
harm to the child, or the genuine threat of substantial harm from |
|
physical injury to the child, including an injury that is at |
|
variance with the history or explanation given and excluding an |
|
accident or reasonable discipline by a parent, guardian, or |
|
managing or possessory conservator that does not expose the child |
|
to a substantial risk of harm; |
|
(D) failure to make a reasonable effort to |
|
prevent an action by another person that results in physical injury |
|
that results in substantial harm to the child; |
|
(E) sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, |
|
emotional, or physical welfare, including conduct that constitutes |
|
the offense of continuous sexual abuse of young child or children |
|
under Section 21.02, Penal Code, indecency with a child under |
|
Section 21.11, Penal Code, sexual assault under Section 22.011, |
|
Penal Code, or aggravated sexual assault under Section 22.021, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(F) failure to make a reasonable effort to |
|
prevent sexual conduct harmful to a child; |
|
(G) compelling or encouraging the child to engage |
|
in sexual conduct as defined by Section 43.01, Penal Code, |
|
including compelling or encouraging the child in a manner that |
|
constitutes an offense of trafficking of persons under Section |
|
20A.02(a)(7) or (8), Penal Code, solicitation of prostitution under |
|
Section 43.021 [43.02(b)], Penal Code, or compelling prostitution |
|
under Section 43.05(a)(2), Penal Code; |
|
(H) causing, permitting, encouraging, engaging |
|
in, or allowing the photographing, filming, or depicting of the |
|
child if the person knew or should have known that the resulting |
|
photograph, film, or depiction of the child is obscene as defined by |
|
Section 43.21, Penal Code, or pornographic; |
|
(I) the current use by a person of a controlled |
|
substance as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, in a |
|
manner or to the extent that the use results in physical, mental, or |
|
emotional injury to a child; |
|
(J) causing, expressly permitting, or |
|
encouraging a child to use a controlled substance as defined by |
|
Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code; |
|
(K) causing, permitting, encouraging, engaging |
|
in, or allowing a sexual performance by a child as defined by |
|
Section 43.25, Penal Code; |
|
(L) knowingly causing, permitting, encouraging, |
|
engaging in, or allowing a child to be trafficked in a manner |
|
punishable as an offense under Section 20A.02(a)(5), (6), (7), or |
|
(8), Penal Code, or the failure to make a reasonable effort to |
|
prevent a child from being trafficked in a manner punishable as an |
|
offense under any of those sections; or |
|
(M) forcing or coercing a child to enter into a |
|
marriage. |
|
SECTION 40. Section 71.0353, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 71.0353. TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS INFORMATION. As a |
|
component of the official monthly report submitted to the Office of |
|
Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System, a district court |
|
or county court at law shall report the number of cases filed for |
|
the following offenses: |
|
(1) trafficking of persons under Section 20A.02, Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(2) prostitution under Section 43.02, Penal Code; |
|
(3) solicitation of prostitution under Section |
|
43.021, Penal Code; and |
|
(4) [(3)] compelling prostitution under Section |
|
43.05, Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 41. Section 402.035(d), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(d) The task force shall: |
|
(1) collaborate, as needed to fulfill the duties of |
|
the task force, with: |
|
(A) United States attorneys' offices for all of |
|
the federal districts of Texas; and |
|
(B) special agents or customs and border |
|
protection officers and border patrol agents of: |
|
(i) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; |
|
(ii) the United States Drug Enforcement |
|
Administration; |
|
(iii) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, |
|
Firearms and Explosives; |
|
(iv) United States Immigration and Customs |
|
Enforcement; or |
|
(v) the United States Department of |
|
Homeland Security; |
|
(2) collect, organize, and periodically publish |
|
statistical data on the nature and extent of human trafficking in |
|
this state, including data described by Subdivisions (4)(A), (B), |
|
(C), (D), and (E); |
|
(3) solicit cooperation and assistance from state and |
|
local governmental agencies, political subdivisions of the state, |
|
nongovernmental organizations, and other persons, as appropriate, |
|
for the purpose of collecting and organizing statistical data under |
|
Subdivision (2); |
|
(4) ensure that each state or local governmental |
|
agency and political subdivision of the state and each state or |
|
local law enforcement agency, district attorney, or county attorney |
|
that assists in the prevention of human trafficking collects |
|
statistical data related to human trafficking, including, as |
|
appropriate: |
|
(A) the number of investigations concerning, |
|
arrests and prosecutions for, and convictions of: |
|
(i) the offense of trafficking of persons; |
|
(ii) the offense of forgery or an offense |
|
under Chapter 43, Penal Code, if the offense was committed as part |
|
of a criminal episode involving the trafficking of persons; and |
|
(iii) an offense punishable as a felony of |
|
the second degree under Section 43.021 [43.02(c-1)(2)], Penal Code, |
|
regardless of whether the offense was committed as part of a |
|
criminal episode involving the trafficking of persons; |
|
(B) demographic information on persons who are |
|
convicted of offenses described by Paragraph (A) and persons who |
|
are the victims of those offenses; |
|
(C) geographic routes by which human trafficking |
|
victims are trafficked, including routes by which victims are |
|
trafficked across this state's international border, and |
|
geographic patterns in human trafficking, including the country or |
|
state of origin and the country or state of destination; |
|
(D) means of transportation and methods used by |
|
persons who engage in trafficking to transport their victims; and |
|
(E) social and economic factors that create a |
|
demand for the labor or services that victims of human trafficking |
|
are forced to provide; |
|
(5) work with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement |
|
to develop and conduct training for law enforcement personnel, |
|
victim service providers, and medical service providers to identify |
|
victims of human trafficking; |
|
(6) work with the Texas Education Agency, the |
|
Department of Family and Protective Services, and the Health and |
|
Human Services Commission to: |
|
(A) develop a list of key indicators that a |
|
person is a victim of human trafficking; |
|
(B) develop a standardized curriculum for |
|
training doctors, nurses, emergency medical services personnel, |
|
teachers, school counselors, school administrators, and personnel |
|
from the Department of Family and Protective Services and the |
|
Health and Human Services Commission to identify and assist victims |
|
of human trafficking; |
|
(C) train doctors, nurses, emergency medical |
|
services personnel, teachers, school counselors, school |
|
administrators, and personnel from the Department of Family and |
|
Protective Services and the Health and Human Services Commission to |
|
identify and assist victims of human trafficking; |
|
(D) develop and conduct training for personnel |
|
from the Department of Family and Protective Services and the |
|
Health and Human Services Commission on methods for identifying |
|
children in foster care who may be at risk of becoming victims of |
|
human trafficking; and |
|
(E) develop a process for referring identified |
|
human trafficking victims and individuals at risk of becoming |
|
victims to appropriate entities for services; |
|
(7) on the request of a judge of a county court, county |
|
court at law, or district court or a county attorney, district |
|
attorney, or criminal district attorney, assist and train the judge |
|
or the judge's staff or the attorney or the attorney's staff in the |
|
recognition and prevention of human trafficking; |
|
(8) examine training protocols related to human |
|
trafficking issues, as developed and implemented by federal, state, |
|
and local law enforcement agencies; |
|
(9) collaborate with state and local governmental |
|
agencies, political subdivisions of the state, and nongovernmental |
|
organizations to implement a media awareness campaign in |
|
communities affected by human trafficking; |
|
(10) develop recommendations on how to strengthen |
|
state and local efforts to prevent human trafficking, protect and |
|
assist human trafficking victims, curb markets and other economic |
|
avenues that facilitate human trafficking and investigate and |
|
prosecute human trafficking offenders; |
|
(11) examine the extent to which human trafficking is |
|
associated with the operation of sexually oriented businesses, as |
|
defined by Section 243.002, Local Government Code, and the |
|
workplace or public health concerns that are created by the |
|
association of human trafficking and the operation of sexually |
|
oriented businesses; |
|
(12) develop recommendations for addressing the |
|
demand for forced labor or services or sexual conduct involving |
|
victims of human trafficking, including recommendations for |
|
increased penalties for individuals who engage or attempt to engage |
|
in solicitation of prostitution with victims younger than 18 years |
|
of age; and |
|
(13) identify and report to the governor and |
|
legislature on laws, licensure requirements, or other regulations |
|
that can be passed at the state and local level to curb trafficking |
|
using the Internet and in sexually oriented businesses. |
|
SECTION 42. Section 411.042(b), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) The bureau of identification and records shall: |
|
(1) procure and file for record photographs, pictures, |
|
descriptions, fingerprints, measurements, and other pertinent |
|
information of all persons arrested for or charged with a criminal |
|
offense or convicted of a criminal offense, regardless of whether |
|
the conviction is probated; |
|
(2) collect information concerning the number and |
|
nature of offenses reported or known to have been committed in the |
|
state and the legal steps taken in connection with the offenses, and |
|
other information useful in the study of crime and the |
|
administration of justice, including information that enables the |
|
bureau to create a statistical breakdown of: |
|
(A) offenses in which family violence was |
|
involved; |
|
(B) offenses under Sections 22.011 and 22.021, |
|
Penal Code; and |
|
(C) offenses under Sections 20A.02, 43.02 |
|
[43.02(a)], 43.021 [43.02(b)], 43.03, 43.031, 43.04, 43.041, and |
|
43.05, Penal Code; |
|
(3) make ballistic tests of bullets and firearms and |
|
chemical analyses of bloodstains, cloth, materials, and other |
|
substances for law enforcement officers of the state; |
|
(4) cooperate with identification and crime records |
|
bureaus in other states and the United States Department of |
|
Justice; |
|
(5) maintain a list of all previous background checks |
|
for applicants for any position regulated under Chapter 1702, |
|
Occupations Code, who have undergone a criminal history background |
|
check as required by that chapter, if the check indicates a Class B |
|
misdemeanor or equivalent offense or a greater offense; |
|
(6) collect information concerning the number and |
|
nature of protective orders and magistrate's orders of emergency |
|
protection and all other pertinent information about all persons |
|
subject to active orders, including pertinent information about |
|
persons subject to conditions of bond imposed for the protection of |
|
the victim in any family violence, sexual assault or abuse, |
|
indecent assault, stalking, or trafficking case. Information in the |
|
law enforcement information system relating to an active order |
|
shall include: |
|
(A) the name, sex, race, date of birth, personal |
|
descriptors, address, and county of residence of the person to whom |
|
the order is directed; |
|
(B) any known identifying number of the person to |
|
whom the order is directed, including the person's social security |
|
number or driver's license number; |
|
(C) the name and county of residence of the |
|
person protected by the order; |
|
(D) the residence address and place of employment |
|
or business of the person protected by the order; |
|
(E) the child-care facility or school where a |
|
child protected by the order normally resides or which the child |
|
normally attends; |
|
(F) the relationship or former relationship |
|
between the person who is protected by the order and the person to |
|
whom the order is directed; |
|
(G) the conditions of bond imposed on the person |
|
to whom the order is directed, if any, for the protection of a |
|
victim in any family violence, sexual assault or abuse, indecent |
|
assault, stalking, or trafficking case; |
|
(H) any minimum distance the person subject to |
|
the order is required to maintain from the protected places or |
|
persons; and |
|
(I) the date the order expires; |
|
(7) grant access to criminal history record |
|
information in the manner authorized under Subchapter F; |
|
(8) collect and disseminate information regarding |
|
offenders with mental impairments in compliance with Chapter 614, |
|
Health and Safety Code; and |
|
(9) record data and maintain a state database for a |
|
computerized criminal history record system and computerized |
|
juvenile justice information system that serves: |
|
(A) as the record creation point for criminal |
|
history record information and juvenile justice information |
|
maintained by the state; and |
|
(B) as the control terminal for the entry of |
|
records, in accordance with federal law and regulations, federal |
|
executive orders, and federal policy, into the federal database |
|
maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. |
|
SECTION 43. Section 411.1471(a), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) This section applies to a defendant who is: |
|
(1) arrested for a felony prohibited under any of the |
|
following Penal Code sections: |
|
(A) Section 19.02; |
|
(B) Section 19.03; |
|
(C) Section 20.03; |
|
(D) Section 20.04; |
|
(E) Section 20.05; |
|
(F) Section 20.06; |
|
(G) Section 20A.02; |
|
(H) Section 20A.03; |
|
(I) Section 21.02; |
|
(J) Section 21.11; |
|
(K) Section 22.01; |
|
(L) Section 22.011; |
|
(M) Section 22.02; |
|
(N) Section 22.021; |
|
(O) Section 25.02; |
|
(P) Section 29.02; |
|
(Q) Section 29.03; |
|
(R) Section 30.02; |
|
(S) Section 31.03; |
|
(T) Section 43.03; |
|
(U) Section 43.04; |
|
(V) Section 43.05; |
|
(W) Section 43.25; or |
|
(X) Section 43.26; or |
|
(2) convicted of an offense: |
|
(A) under Title 5, Penal Code, other than an |
|
offense described by Subdivision (1), that is punishable as a Class |
|
A misdemeanor or any higher category of offense, except for an |
|
offense punishable as a Class A misdemeanor under Section 22.05, |
|
Penal Code; or |
|
(B) under Section 21.08, 25.04, 43.021 |
|
[43.02(b)], or 43.24, Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 44. Section 81.093(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A court may direct a person convicted of an offense |
|
under Section 43.02 or 43.021, Penal Code, under Chapter 481 (Texas |
|
Controlled Substances Act), or under Sections 485.031 through |
|
485.035 to be subject to the control measures of Section 81.083 and |
|
to the court-ordered management provisions of Subchapter G. |
|
SECTION 45. The heading to Chapter 169, Health and Safety |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 169. FIRST OFFENDER SOLICITATION OF PROSTITUTION |
|
PREVENTION PROGRAM |
|
SECTION 46. Section 169.001, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 169.001. FIRST OFFENDER SOLICITATION OF PROSTITUTION |
|
PREVENTION PROGRAM; PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN DEFENDANTS. (a) In |
|
this chapter, "first offender solicitation of prostitution |
|
prevention program" means a program that has the following |
|
essential characteristics: |
|
(1) the integration of services in the processing of |
|
cases in the judicial system; |
|
(2) the use of a nonadversarial approach involving |
|
prosecutors and defense attorneys to promote public safety, to |
|
reduce the demand for the commercial sex trade and trafficking of |
|
persons by educating offenders, and to protect the due process |
|
rights of program participants; |
|
(3) early identification and prompt placement of |
|
eligible participants in the program; |
|
(4) access to information, counseling, and services |
|
relating to sex addiction, sexually transmitted diseases, mental |
|
health, and substance abuse; |
|
(5) a coordinated strategy to govern program responses |
|
to participant compliance; |
|
(6) monitoring and evaluation of program goals and |
|
effectiveness; |
|
(7) continuing interdisciplinary education to promote |
|
effective program planning, implementation, and operations; and |
|
(8) development of partnerships with public agencies |
|
and community organizations. |
|
(b) If a defendant successfully completes a first offender |
|
solicitation of prostitution prevention program, regardless of |
|
whether the defendant was convicted of the offense for which the |
|
defendant entered the program or whether the court deferred further |
|
proceedings without entering an adjudication of guilt, after notice |
|
to the state and a hearing on whether the defendant is otherwise |
|
entitled to the petition, including whether the required time |
|
period has elapsed, and whether issuance of the order is in the best |
|
interest of justice, the court shall enter an order of |
|
nondisclosure of criminal history record information under |
|
Subchapter E-1, Chapter 411, Government Code, as if the defendant |
|
had received a discharge and dismissal under Article 42A.111, Code |
|
of Criminal Procedure, with respect to all records and files |
|
related to the defendant's arrest for the offense for which the |
|
defendant entered the program if the defendant: |
|
(1) has not been previously convicted of a felony |
|
offense; and |
|
(2) is not convicted of any other felony offense |
|
before the second anniversary of the defendant's successful |
|
completion of the program. |
|
SECTION 47. Sections 169.002(a), (b), (d), (e), and (f), |
|
Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The commissioners court of a county or governing body of |
|
a municipality may establish a first offender solicitation of |
|
prostitution prevention program for defendants charged with an |
|
offense under Section 43.021 [43.02(b)], Penal Code. |
|
(b) A defendant is eligible to participate in a first |
|
offender solicitation of prostitution prevention program |
|
established under this chapter only if: |
|
(1) the attorney representing the state consents to |
|
the defendant's participation in the program; and |
|
(2) the court in which the criminal case is pending |
|
finds that the defendant has not been previously convicted of: |
|
(A) an offense under Section 20A.02, 43.02(b), as |
|
that law existed before September 1, 2021 [43.02], 43.021, 43.03, |
|
43.031, 43.04, 43.041, or 43.05, Penal Code; |
|
(B) an offense listed in Article 42A.054(a), Code |
|
of Criminal Procedure; or |
|
(C) an offense punishable as a felony under |
|
Chapter 481. |
|
(d) A defendant is not eligible to participate in the first |
|
offender solicitation of prostitution prevention program if the |
|
defendant offered or agreed to hire a person to engage in sexual |
|
conduct and the person was younger than 18 years of age at the time |
|
of the offense. |
|
(e) The court in which the criminal case is pending shall |
|
allow an eligible defendant to choose whether to participate in the |
|
first offender solicitation of prostitution prevention program or |
|
otherwise proceed through the criminal justice system. |
|
(f) If a defendant who chooses to participate in the first |
|
offender solicitation of prostitution prevention program fails to |
|
attend any portion of the program, the court in which the |
|
defendant's criminal case is pending shall issue a warrant for the |
|
defendant's arrest and proceed on the criminal case as if the |
|
defendant had chosen not to participate in the program. |
|
SECTION 48. Section 169.003(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A first offender solicitation of prostitution |
|
prevention program established under this chapter must: |
|
(1) ensure that a person eligible for the program is |
|
provided legal counsel before volunteering to proceed through the |
|
program and while participating in the program; |
|
(2) allow any participant to withdraw from the program |
|
at any time before a trial on the merits has been initiated; |
|
(3) provide each participant with information, |
|
counseling, and services relating to sex addiction, sexually |
|
transmitted diseases, mental health, and substance abuse; and |
|
(4) provide each participant with classroom |
|
instruction related to the prevention of the solicitation of |
|
prostitution. |
|
SECTION 49. Sections 169.004, 169.005, and 169.006, Health |
|
and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 169.004. OVERSIGHT. (a) The lieutenant governor and |
|
the speaker of the house of representatives may assign to |
|
appropriate legislative committees duties relating to the |
|
oversight of first offender solicitation of prostitution |
|
prevention programs established under this chapter. |
|
(b) A legislative committee or the governor may request the |
|
state auditor to perform a management, operations, or financial or |
|
accounting audit of a first offender solicitation of prostitution |
|
prevention program established under this chapter. |
|
(c) A first offender solicitation of prostitution |
|
prevention program established under this chapter shall: |
|
(1) notify the criminal justice division of the |
|
governor's office before or on implementation of the program; and |
|
(2) provide information regarding the performance of |
|
the program to the division on request. |
|
Sec. 169.005. REIMBURSEMENT FEES. (a) A first offender |
|
solicitation of prostitution prevention program established under |
|
this chapter may collect from a participant in the program a |
|
nonrefundable reimbursement fee for the program in a reasonable |
|
amount not to exceed $1,000, from which the following must be paid: |
|
(1) a counseling and services reimbursement fee in an |
|
amount necessary to cover the costs of the counseling and services |
|
provided by the program; and |
|
(2) a law enforcement training reimbursement fee, in |
|
an amount equal to five percent of the total amount paid under |
|
Subdivision (1), to be deposited to the credit of the treasury of |
|
the county or municipality that established the program to cover |
|
costs associated with the provision of training to law enforcement |
|
personnel on domestic violence, prostitution, and the trafficking |
|
of persons. |
|
(b) Reimbursement fees collected under this section may be |
|
paid on a periodic basis or on a deferred payment schedule at the |
|
discretion of the judge, magistrate, or program director |
|
administering the first offender solicitation of prostitution |
|
prevention program. The fees must be based on the participant's |
|
ability to pay. |
|
Sec. 169.006. SUSPENSION OR DISMISSAL OF COMMUNITY SERVICE |
|
REQUIREMENT. (a) To encourage participation in a first offender |
|
solicitation of prostitution prevention program established under |
|
this chapter, the judge or magistrate administering the program may |
|
suspend any requirement that, as a condition of community |
|
supervision, a participant in the program work a specified number |
|
of hours at a community service project. |
|
(b) On a participant's successful completion of a first |
|
offender solicitation of prostitution prevention program, a judge |
|
or magistrate may excuse the participant from any condition of |
|
community supervision previously suspended under Subsection (a). |
|
SECTION 50. Section 455.202(d)(2), Occupations Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(2) "Sexual contact" includes: |
|
(A) any touching of any part of the genitalia or |
|
anus; |
|
(B) any touching of the breasts of a female |
|
without the written consent of the female; |
|
(C) any offer or agreement to engage in any |
|
activity described in Paragraph (A) or (B); |
|
(D) kissing without the consent of both persons; |
|
(E) deviate sexual intercourse, sexual contact, |
|
sexual intercourse, indecent exposure, sexual assault, |
|
prostitution, solicitation of prostitution, and promotion |
|
[promotions] of prostitution as described in Chapters 21, 22, and |
|
43, Penal Code, or any offer or agreement to engage in such |
|
activities; |
|
(F) any behavior, gesture, or expression that may |
|
reasonably be interpreted as inappropriately seductive or sexual; |
|
or |
|
(G) inappropriate sexual comments about or to a |
|
client, including sexual comments about a person's body. |
|
SECTION 51. Section 15.031(b), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(b) A person commits an offense if, with intent that an |
|
offense under Section 20A.02(a)(7) or (8), 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, |
|
22.021, 43.02, 43.021, 43.05(a)(2), or 43.25 be committed, the |
|
person by any means requests, commands, or attempts to induce a |
|
minor or another whom the person believes to be a minor to engage in |
|
specific conduct that, under the circumstances surrounding the |
|
actor's conduct as the actor believes them to be, would constitute |
|
an offense under one of those sections or would make the minor or |
|
other believed by the person to be a minor a party to the commission |
|
of an offense under one of those sections. |
|
SECTION 52. Section 25.08(c), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third |
|
degree, except that the offense is a felony of the second degree if |
|
the actor commits the offense with intent to commit an offense under |
|
Section 20A.02, 43.021 [43.02], 43.05, or 43.25. |
|
SECTION 53. Section 25.081(c), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third |
|
degree, except that the offense is a felony of the second degree if |
|
the actor commits the offense with intent to commit an offense under |
|
Section 20A.02, 43.021 [43.02], 43.05, 43.25, 43.251, or 43.26. |
|
SECTION 54. Section 43.01, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
|
Subdivision (6) to read as follows: |
|
(6) "Solicitation of prostitution" means the offense |
|
defined in Section 43.021. |
|
SECTION 55. Section 43.031(a), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(a) A person commits an offense if the person owns, manages, |
|
or operates an interactive computer service or information content |
|
provider, or operates as an information content provider, with the |
|
intent to promote the prostitution of another person or facilitate |
|
another person to engage in prostitution or solicitation of |
|
prostitution. |
|
SECTION 56. Section 43.041(a), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(a) A person commits an offense if the person owns, manages, |
|
or operates an interactive computer service or information content |
|
provider, or operates as an information content provider, with the |
|
intent to promote the prostitution of five or more persons or |
|
facilitate five or more persons to engage in prostitution or |
|
solicitation of prostitution. |
|
SECTION 57. Section 93.013(a), Property Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(a) Notwithstanding a provision in a lease to the contrary, |
|
a tenant's right of possession terminates and the landlord has a |
|
right to recover possession of the leased premises if the tenant is |
|
using the premises or allowing the premises to be used for the |
|
purposes of prostitution as described by Section 43.02, Penal Code, |
|
solicitation of prostitution as described by Section 43.021, Penal |
|
Code, promotion of prostitution as described by Section 43.03, |
|
Penal Code, aggravated promotion of prostitution as described by |
|
Section 43.04, Penal Code, [or] compelling prostitution[,] as |
|
described [prohibited] by Section 43.05, [the] Penal Code, or |
|
trafficking of persons as described by Section 20A.02, Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 58. Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 37.086 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 37.086. REQUIRED POSTING OF WARNING SIGNS OF INCREASED |
|
TRAFFICKING PENALTIES. (a) In this section: |
|
(1) "Premises" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
481.134, Health and Safety Code. |
|
(2) "School" means a public or private primary or |
|
secondary school. |
|
(b) Each school shall post warning signs of the increased |
|
penalties for trafficking of persons under Section 20A.02(b-1)(2), |
|
Penal Code, at the following locations: |
|
(1) parallel to and along the exterior boundaries of |
|
the school's premises; |
|
(2) at each roadway or other way of access to the |
|
premises; |
|
(3) for premises not fenced, at least every five |
|
hundred feet along the exterior boundaries of the premises; |
|
(4) at each entrance to the premises; and |
|
(5) at conspicuous places reasonably likely to be |
|
viewed by all persons entering the premises. |
|
(c) The agency, in consultation with the human trafficking |
|
prevention task force created under Section 402.035, Government |
|
Code, shall adopt rules regarding the placement, installation, |
|
design, size, wording, and maintenance procedures for the warning |
|
signs required under this section. The rules must require that each |
|
warning sign: |
|
(1) include a description of the provisions of Section |
|
20A.02(b-1), Penal Code, including the penalties for violating that |
|
section; |
|
(2) be written in English and Spanish; and |
|
(3) be at least 8-1/2 by 11 inches in size. |
|
(d) The agency shall provide each school without charge the |
|
number of warning signs required to comply with this section and |
|
rules adopted under this section. If the agency is unable to |
|
provide each school with the number of signs necessary to comply |
|
with Subsection (b), the agency may: |
|
(1) provide to a school fewer signs than the number |
|
necessary to comply with that section; and |
|
(2) prioritize distribution of signs to schools based |
|
on reports of criminal activity in the areas near that school. |
|
SECTION 59. Section 33.021, Penal Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subsection (f-1) to read as follows: |
|
(f-1) The punishment for an offense under this section is |
|
increased to the punishment prescribed for the next higher category |
|
of offense if it is shown on the trial of the offense that: |
|
(1) the actor committed the offense during regular |
|
public or private primary or secondary school hours; and |
|
(2) the actor knew or reasonably should have known |
|
that the minor was enrolled in a public or private primary or |
|
secondary school at the time of the offense. |
|
SECTION 60. Section 43.01, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
|
Subdivisions (1-f) and (2-a) to read as follows. |
|
(1-f) "Premises" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
481.134, Health and Safety Code. |
|
(2-a) "School" means a public or private primary or |
|
secondary school. |
|
SECTION 61. Section 43.02, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
|
Subsection (c-2) to read as follows: |
|
(c-2) The punishment prescribed for an offense under |
|
Subsection (b) is increased to the punishment prescribed for the |
|
next highest category of offense if it is shown on the trial of the |
|
offense that the actor committed the offense in a location that was: |
|
(1) on the premises of or within 1,000 feet of the |
|
premises of a school; or |
|
(2) on premises or within 1,000 feet of premises |
|
where: |
|
(A) an official school function was taking place; |
|
or |
|
(B) an event sponsored or sanctioned by the |
|
University Interscholastic League was taking place. |
|
SECTION 62. The following provisions are repealed: |
|
(1) Section 125.0017, Civil Practice and Remedies |
|
Code, as added by Chapter 1135 (H.B. 240), Acts of the 85th |
|
Legislature, Regular Session, 2017; |
|
(2) Section 125.003(d), Civil Practice and Remedies |
|
Code; |
|
(3) Section 125.004(a-3), Civil Practice and Remedies |
|
Code, as added by Chapter 1135 (H.B. 240), Acts of the 85th |
|
Legislature, Regular Session, 2017; |
|
(4) Section 125.068, Civil Practice and Remedies Code; |
|
and |
|
(5) Section 20A.02(a-1), Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 63. (a) Sections 11.44(b), 11.46(c), and 61.42(c), |
|
Alcoholic Beverage Code, as amended by this Act, apply to an |
|
application for an alcoholic beverage permit or license filed on or |
|
after the effective date of this Act or pending on the effective |
|
date of this Act. |
|
(b) Section 98.007, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as |
|
added by this Act, applies only to an action filed on or after the |
|
effective date of this Act. |
|
(c) The change in law made to Chapters 125 and 140A, Civil |
|
Practice and Remedies Code, by this Act applies only to a cause of |
|
action that accrues on or after the effective date of this Act. A |
|
cause of action that accrues before the effective date of this Act |
|
is governed by the law applicable to the cause of action immediately |
|
before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in |
|
effect for that purpose. |
|
(d) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the |
|
changes in law made by this Act apply only to an offense committed |
|
on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed |
|
before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in |
|
effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is |
|
continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, |
|
an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if |
|
any element of the offense occurred before that date. |
|
SECTION 64. The Texas Education Agency is required to |
|
implement the change in law made by Section 37.086(d), Education |
|
Code, as added by this Act, only if the legislature appropriates |
|
money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not |
|
appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the agency may, |
|
but is not required to, implement the change in law made by Section |
|
37.086(d), Education Code, as added by this Act, using other |
|
appropriations available for that purpose. |
|
SECTION 65. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
______________________________ |
|
President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
|
|
|
I certify that H.B. No. 1540 was passed by the House on April |
|
14, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 149, Nays 0, 1 present, not |
|
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
|
No. 1540 on May 28, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, |
|
1 present, not voting. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|
|
I certify that H.B. No. 1540 was passed by the Senate, with |
|
amendments, on May 20, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
|
0. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
APPROVED: __________________ |
|
Date |
|
|
|
__________________ |
|
Governor |