83R4332 AJZ-D
By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 1354
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the confidentiality of certain records maintained by a
victims of trafficking shelter center and the creation of minimum
standards for certain facilities that provide services to victims
of trafficking.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 552.138, Government Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 552.138. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF FAMILY
VIOLENCE SHELTER CENTER, VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING SHELTER CENTER, AND
SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAM INFORMATION.
SECTION 2. Section 552.138(a), Government Code, is amended
by adding Subdivision (3) to read as follows:
(3) "Victims of trafficking shelter center" means a
program that:
(A) is operated by a public or private nonprofit
organization; and
(B) provides comprehensive residential and
nonresidential services to persons who are victims of trafficking
under Section 20A.02, Penal Code.
SECTION 3. Sections 552.138(b) and (c), Government Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(b) Information maintained by a family violence shelter
center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or sexual assault
program is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it
is information that relates to:
(1) the home address, home telephone number, or social
security number of an employee or a volunteer worker of a family
violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or
[a] sexual assault program, regardless of whether the employee or
worker complies with Section 552.024;
(2) the location or physical layout of a family
violence shelter center or victims of trafficking shelter center;
(3) the name, home address, home telephone number, or
numeric identifier of a current or former client of a family
violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or
sexual assault program;
(4) the provision of services, including counseling
and sheltering, to a current or former client of a family violence
shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or sexual
assault program;
(5) the name, home address, or home telephone number
of a private donor to a family violence shelter center, victims of
trafficking shelter center, or sexual assault program; or
(6) the home address or home telephone number of a
member of the board of directors or the board of trustees of a
family violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter
center, or sexual assault program, regardless of whether the board
member complies with Section 552.024.
(c) A governmental body may redact information maintained
by a family violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter
center, or sexual assault program that may be withheld under
Subsection (b)(1) or (6) from any information the governmental body
discloses under Section 552.021 without the necessity of requesting
a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G.
SECTION 4. Section 42.042, Human Resources Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (g-2) to read as follows:
(g-2) The executive commissioner by rule shall adopt
minimum standards that apply to general residential operations that
provide comprehensive residential and nonresidential services to
persons who are victims of trafficking under Section 20A.02, Penal
Code. In adopting the minimum standards under this subsection, the
executive commissioner shall consider:
(1) the special circumstances and needs of victims of
trafficking of persons; and
(2) the role of the general residential operations in
assisting and supporting victims of trafficking of persons.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.