88R16528 TYPED
By: Thompson of Harris H.B. No. 3772
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, and a heading is added to that subchapter to
read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
SECTION 2. Subchapter K, Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Sections 51.551, 51.552, and 51.553 to read as
follows:
Sec. 51.551. ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES. The department
is authorized to 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 information under
Subsection (a) without the necessity of requesting a decision from
the attorney general under Subchapter G, Chapter 552, Government
Code.
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, 2023.