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AN ACT
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relating to a screening for the risk of commercial sexual |
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exploitation of certain children. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 266.012(a), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) Not later than the 45th day after the date a child enters |
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the conservatorship of the department, the child shall receive: |
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(1) a developmentally appropriate comprehensive |
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assessment that includes [. The assessment must include]: |
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(A) [(1)] a screening for trauma; and |
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(B) [(2)] interviews with individuals who have |
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knowledge of the child's needs; and |
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(2) a screening for risk of commercial sexual |
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exploitation using a validated, evidenced-informed tool selected |
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by the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit established under |
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Section 772.0062, Government Code, if: |
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(A) validation guidelines based on the child's |
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age indicate the screening is appropriate; or |
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(B) concerns of commercial sexual exploitation |
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exist. |
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SECTION 2. Section 221.003(b), Human Resources Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) A juvenile probation department must, before the |
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disposition of a child's case and using a validated risk and needs |
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assessment instrument or process provided or approved by the |
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department, complete a risk and needs assessment for each child |
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under the jurisdiction of the juvenile probation department. The |
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risk and needs assessment must include a screening for risk of |
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commercial sexual exploitation using a validated, |
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evidence-informed tool selected by the Child Sex Trafficking |
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Prevention Unit established under Section 772.0062, Government |
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Code. |
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SECTION 3. The Department of Family and Protective Services |
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is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the |
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legislature appropriates money to the department specifically for |
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that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money |
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specifically for that purpose, the department may, but is not |
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required to, implement a provision of this Act using other money |
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available for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 451 was passed by the House on April |
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16, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, 1 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 451 on May 19, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 129, Nays 0, 1 |
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present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 451 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 12, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |