87R4678 MAW-D
 
  By: Thompson of Harris H.B. No. 2794
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to evidence in prosecutions of trafficking or certain
  sexual offenses.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 38, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Article 38.372 to read as follows:
         Art. 38.372.  EVIDENCE IN PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKING OR
  SEXUAL OFFENSE. (a)  This article applies to a proceeding in the
  prosecution of a defendant for an offense, or for an attempt or
  conspiracy to commit an offense, under any of the following
  provisions of the Penal Code:
               (1)  Chapter 20A (Trafficking of Persons);
               (2)  Section 22.011 (Sexual Assault);
               (3)  Section 22.021 (Aggravated Sexual Assault);
               (4)  Section 43.03 (Promotion of Prostitution);
               (5)  Section 43.031 (Online Promotion of
  Prostitution);
               (6)  Section 43.04 (Aggravated Promotion of
  Prostitution); 
               (7)  Section 43.041 (Aggravated Online Promotion of
  Prostitution); or
               (8)  Section 43.05 (Compelling Prostitution).
         (b)  In the prosecution of an offense described by Subsection
  (a), subject to the Texas Rules of Evidence or other applicable law,
  each party may offer testimony or other evidence of all relevant
  facts and circumstances that would assist the trier of fact in
  determining whether the actor committed the offense described by
  Subsection (a), including testimony or evidence regarding the
  nature of the relationship between the actor and the alleged
  victim.
         (c)  This article does not permit the presentation of
  character evidence that would otherwise be inadmissible under the
  Texas Rules of Evidence or other applicable law.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to a
  criminal proceeding that commences on or after the effective date
  of this Act. A criminal proceeding that commences before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the
  proceeding commenced, and the former law is continued in effect for
  that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.