By: Thompson of Harris, Guillen H.B. No. 2511
(Senate Sponsor - Huffman)
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2015;
May 13, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Business
and Commerce; May 22, 2015, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 22, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE VOTE
YeaNayAbsentPNV
EltifeX
CreightonX
EllisX
HuffinesX
SchwertnerX
SeligerX
TaylorofGalvestonX
WatsonX
WhitmireX
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the human trafficking prevention
business partnership.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 405, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 405.023 to read as follows:
Sec. 405.023. HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION BUSINESS
PARTNERSHIP. (a) In this section, "partnership" means the human
trafficking prevention business partnership.
(b) The secretary of state by rule shall establish and
implement a program designated as the human trafficking prevention
business partnership to engage participating corporations and
other private entities in voluntary efforts to prevent and combat
human trafficking.
(c) The secretary of state shall present a certificate of
recognition to a participating corporation or private entity to
recognize the corporation's or entity's contributions to the
efforts of federal, state, and local officials engaged in
combatting human trafficking and prosecuting human trafficking
crimes.
(d) A corporation or other private entity that participates
in the partnership shall:
(1) adopt a zero tolerance policy toward human
trafficking;
(2) take measures to ensure that the corporation's or
entity's employees comply with the policy adopted under Subdivision
(1);
(3) participate in public awareness and education
campaigns;
(4) enhance awareness of and encourage participation
in the partnership; and
(5) share with the secretary of state best practices
that are effective in combatting human trafficking.
(e) The secretary of state shall work collaboratively with
other state agencies to promote the partnership.
(f) The secretary of state may use private and philanthropic
resources to support the work of the partnership.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2015, the secretary of
state shall establish the program designated as the human
trafficking prevention business partnership as required under
Section 405.023, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2015.
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