85R12809 SMT-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1859
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a human trafficking unit within
the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 411.02096 to read as follows:
Sec. 411.02096. HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNIT. (a) In this
section:
(1) "Human trafficking" means conduct that
constitutes an offense under Section 20A.02, Penal Code.
(2) "Unit" means the human trafficking unit
established by this section.
(b) A human trafficking unit is created within the
department to investigate and combat human trafficking.
(c) The unit shall collaborate with federal and local law
enforcement agencies and the office of the attorney general's human
trafficking prevention task force and transnational and organized
crime division, as applicable, to investigate human trafficking and
arrest persons determined to have engaged in human trafficking.
(d) The department, in consultation with the office of the
attorney general, shall develop and provide specialized training
for peace officers assigned to the unit.
(e) The unit may implement a public outreach campaign to
combat human trafficking and may accept gifts, grants, or donations
or work with a nonprofit organization for purposes of implementing
the campaign.
(f) If the unit implements a campaign under Subsection (e),
the unit shall collaborate with local law enforcement agencies,
school districts, and faith-based organizations and places of
worship to educate persons younger than 18 years of age concerning
the dangers associated with human trafficking.
(g) The legislature may appropriate funds to the department
from the fugitive apprehension account for purposes of implementing
this section.
(h) The department shall develop guidelines and protocols
designed to minimize intrusion on a person who has an encounter with
a peace officer performing a duty of the unit under this section.
(i) The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement
this section.
SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2018, the Department
of Public Safety of the State of Texas shall establish the human
trafficking unit under Section 411.02096, Government Code, as added
by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.