BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2313
88R10601 MZM-D	By: Thompson, Senfronia et al. (Paxton)
	Business & Commerce
	5/17/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Law enforcement has gathered case evidence of rideshare drivers (likely unknowingly) transporting human trafficking victims in the course of their trafficking. With improved training, rideshare drivers could better recognize signs of human trafficking and report the trafficking they observe. These reports would greatly benefit law enforcement in identifying victims and preventing further harm.

H.B. 2313 requires rideshare companies to annually provide their drivers with digital human trafficking awareness and prevention training materials. Among several requirements, the trainings must include an explanation of why human trafficking occurs in the transportation industry, guidance on how to identify individuals who are most at risk, guidance on the role of the driver in reporting and responding to human trafficking, and the contact information of the appropriate entities for reporting human trafficking.

H.B. 2313 amends current law relating to training materials for certain transportation network company drivers regarding human trafficking awareness and prevention.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 2402, Occupations Code, by adding Section 2402.1075, as follows:

Sec. 2402.1075.  HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS AND PREVENTION TRAINING MATERIALS REQUIRED.� (a) Requires that a transportation network company annually provide to each driver who is authorized to log in to the company's digital network human trafficking awareness and prevention training materials. Requires that the training materials:

(1)  be provided in a digital video format or Internet-based video format;

(2)  be not less than 15 minutes in duration;

(3)  be approved by the attorney general;

(4)  be provided in English and Spanish;

(5)  be provided to a new driver before the driver is authorized to provide prearranged rides using the company's digital network; and

(6)  include:

(A)  an overview of human trafficking, including a description of:

(i)  the experience of human trafficking victims;

(ii)  how and why human trafficking takes place in the transportation industry; and

(iii)  how human trafficking is defined under state and federal law;

(B)  guidance on how to identify individuals who are most at risk for human trafficking;

(C)  information on the difference between labor and sex trafficking as that relates to identification of human trafficking in the transportation industry;

(D)  guidance on the role of a driver in reporting and responding to human trafficking; and

(E)  the contact information of appropriate entities for reporting human trafficking, including:

(i)  the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free telephone number and text line;

(ii)  appropriate law enforcement agencies; and

(iii)  a telephone number designated by the attorney general for reporting suspected human trafficking.

(b)  Requires that a transportation network company maintain records necessary to establish that the company has provided the training materials required by this section.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.