BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2306
89R8635 EAS-D	By: Villalobos et al. (Parker)
	Criminal Justice
	5/22/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Texas law imposes parole limitations on individuals convicted of human trafficking offenses, especially those involving children and disabled individuals. However, currently, some offenders still can become eligible for parole. This creates a concern that those who have exploited society's most vulnerable could eventually be released. By allowing parole eligibility, it is still a possibility that these offenders could re-enter society before serving their full sentences, posing a risk to public safety and undermining justice for victims.

H.B. 2306 addresses this issue by explicitly removing parole eligibility for offenders convicted of trafficking crimes involving children and disabled individuals. The bill ensures that individuals convicted of human trafficking will serve their entire sentence.

H.B. 2306 amends current law relating to changing the eligibility for release on parole of certain inmates serving sentences for trafficking offenses involving child victims and disabled individuals.

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 Section 508.145(a), Government Code, as follows:

(a) Provides that an inmate is not eligible for release on parole if the inmate is under sentence of death, serving a sentence of life imprisonment without parole, or serving a sentence for any of certain offenses under the Penal Code, including Section 20A.02(a)(5) (relating to an offense if a person knowingly traffics a child or disabled individual with the intent that the trafficked child or disabled individual engage in forced labor or services), (6) (relating to an offense if a person knowingly receives a benefit from participating in a venture that involves forced labor or services), (7) (relating to an offense if a person knowingly traffics a child or disabled individual and by any means causes the trafficked child or disabled individual to engage in, or become the victim of, certain conduct), or (8) (relating to an offense if a person knowingly receives a benefit from participating in a venture that involves certain activity). Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 508.145(d)(1), Government Code, as follows:

(d)(1) Provides that this subsection applies only to an inmate who is serving a sentence for certain offenses, including an offense described by Article 42A.054(a) (relating to certain offenses under the Penal Code), Code of Criminal Procedure, other than an offense under Section 19.03 (Capital Murder), Penal Code, or an offense under Chapter 20A (Trafficking of Persons), Penal Code, that is described by Subsection (a)(1) (relating to certain provisions of the Penal Code) or (2) (relating to Section 20A.03, Penal Code, if the offense is based partly or wholly on conduct constituting an offense under certain provisions of the Penal Code), rather than Subsection (a)(1) or (c-1)(1) (relating to providing that an inmate serving a sentence for a certain offense under the Penal Code is not eligible for release on parole).

SECTION 3. Repealer: Article 42.01991 (Finding Regarding Agreement on Parole Eligibility for Certain Defendants), Code of Criminal Procedure.

Repealer: Section 508.145(c-1) (relating to an inmate serving a sentence for a certain offense), Government Code.

SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2025.