85R1588 MM-D
By: Thompson of Harris H.B. No. 272
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a required training course on human trafficking for
commercial driver's license applicants.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 522.021, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (a-2) to read as follows:
(a-2) An applicant for a commercial driver's license must
furnish to the department evidence satisfactory to the department
that the applicant has successfully completed a recognition and
prevention of human trafficking training course approved by the
department under Section 522.035.
SECTION 2. Section 522.022, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 522.022. LICENSE REQUIREMENTS. The department may
not issue a commercial driver's license other than a non-domiciled
license to a person unless the person:
(1) has a domicile:
(A) in this state; or
(B) in another state and is a member of the United
States armed forces, including a member of the National Guard or a
reserve or auxiliary unit of any branch of the armed forces, whose
temporary or permanent duty station is located in this state;
(2) has passed knowledge and skills tests for driving
a commercial motor vehicle that comply with minimal federal
standards established by 49 C.F.R. Part 383, Subparts G and H; [and]
(3) has completed a recognition and prevention of
human trafficking training course approved by the department under
Section 522.035; and
(4) has satisfied the requirements imposed by the
federal act, federal regulation, or state law.
SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 522, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 522.035 to read as follows:
Sec. 522.035. RECOGNITION AND PREVENTION OF HUMAN
TRAFFICKING TRAINING COURSE. (a) The department by rule shall:
(1) prescribe minimum standards for the training
course on the recognition and prevention of human trafficking that
is required for commercial driver's license applicants under
Section 522.022; and
(2) develop an approval procedure for training courses
that meet the minimum standards prescribed under this subsection.
(b) In adopting the rules, the department may consult with
organizations that develop training courses on the recognition and
prevention of human trafficking.
SECTION 4. (a) Not later than December 1, 2017, the
Department of Public Safety shall adopt rules necessary to
implement Section 522.035, Transportation Code, as added by this
Act.
(b) The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an
application for an original commercial driver's license submitted
on or after the effective date of this Act. An application for an
original commercial driver's license submitted before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the
application was submitted, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
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, 2017.