By: Thimesch, Thompson of Harris, H.B. No. 3501
A. Johnson of Harris, Klick, Hull,
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to required human trafficking prevention training and
disclosure of certain information about human trafficking by tattoo
and body piercing studios.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 402.0351(a), Government Code, is amended
by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as
follows:
(1) "Body piercing studio" has the meaning assigned by
Section 146.001, Health and Safety Code.
(1-a) "Cosmetology facility" means a person who holds
a license to operate a facility or school under Chapter 1602,
Occupations Code.
SECTION 2. Section 402.0351(a-1), Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a-1) Except as provided by Subsection (a-3), a person who
operates any of the following entities shall post at the entity the
sign prescribed under Subsection (b), or, if applicable, a similar
sign or notice as prescribed by other state law:
(1) an entity permitted or licensed under Chapter 25,
26, 28, 32, 69, or 71, Alcoholic Beverage Code, other than an entity
holding a food and beverage certificate;
(2) a cosmetology facility;
(3) a hospital;
(4) a massage establishment;
(5) a massage school;
(6) a sexually oriented business;
(7) a tattoo studio; [or]
(8) a transportation hub; or
(9) a body piercing studio.
SECTION 3. Chapter 146, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Section 146.0075 to read as follows:
Sec. 146.0075. REQUIRED HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING. (a)
Each employee of a tattoo studio or body piercing studio within the
time prescribed by rules adopted by the executive commissioner
shall complete a training course approved by the executive
commissioner on identifying and assisting victims of human
trafficking.
(b) The executive commissioner shall approve training
courses on human trafficking prevention, including at least one
course that is available without charge. The department shall post
the list of the approved training courses on the department's
Internet website.
(c) A tattoo studio or body piercing studio shall post signs
relating to human trafficking as required by Section 402.0351,
Government Code.
SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act:
(1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall:
(A) approve human trafficking prevention
training courses as provided by Section 146.0075(b), Health and
Safety Code, as added by this Act; and
(B) adopt rules necessary to implement Section
146.0075, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act; and
(2) the Department of State Health Services shall post
on its Internet website the list of human trafficking prevention
courses approved by the executive commissioner of the Health and
Human Services Commission under Section 146.0075(b), Health and
Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 5. An employee of a tattoo studio or body piercing
studio is not required to complete a training course as required by
Section 146.0075(a), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act,
before January 1, 2024.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.