By: Thompson of Harris, et al. H.B. No. 3772
(Senate Sponsor - Parker)
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 2, 2023;
May 4, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Business &
Commerce; May 19, 2023, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 11, Nays 0; May 19, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to combating human trafficking by the Texas Department of
Licensing and Regulation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter K to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Sec. 51.551. ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES. The department
may combat human trafficking by:
(1) establishing within the department an
anti-trafficking unit;
(2) identifying businesses operating within
industries regulated by the department that are impacted by human
trafficking; and
(3) coordinating with:
(A) the office of the attorney general, including
any council, task force, or work group established by that office to
combat human trafficking;
(B) local, state, and federal law enforcement
agencies; and
(C) any nongovernmental entity engaged in
efforts to combat human trafficking or assist victims.
Sec. 51.552. RULES. The commission may adopt rules to
combat human trafficking for any program regulated by the
department, including rules for conducting inspections and
investigations under Section 51.351.
Sec. 51.553. CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS IDENTIFYING
VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. (a) Information that identifies an
individual as a victim of human trafficking is confidential and
excepted from disclosure under Section 552.021, Government Code.
(b) The department may withhold the information without the
necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under
Subchapter G, Chapter 552, Government Code.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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