BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 958

By: Parker

Corrections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill sponsor has informed the committee that human trafficking survivors often have criminal records as a result of actions they were forced to take by their traffickers and that these criminal records can make it difficult for human trafficking survivors to obtain employment, housing, and other resources they need to rebuild their lives. The bill sponsor has also informed the committee that these survivors of human trafficking often face a stigma and discrimination because of their criminal records, which can create additional barriers to their recovery and reintegration into society, and that sealing criminal history records can help human trafficking survivors move forward with their lives and can serve as a significant tool to support these survivors. The bill sponsor has further informed the committee that the current offenses for which certain human trafficking survivors are eligible for orders of nondisclosure is too limited. S.B. 958 seeks to expand the offenses eligible for an order of nondisclosure for certain victims of human trafficking.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 958 amends the Government Code to expand the applicability of provisions establishing the eligibility of certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information by making those provisions applicable with respect to an otherwise eligible person who is convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for any of the following offenses:

· a misdemeanor offense under the Texas Controlled Substances Act;

· the misdemeanor offense of criminal trespass;

· the misdemeanor offense of tampering with a governmental record;

· the misdemeanor offense of public intoxication; and

· the Class A misdemeanor offense of theft.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.