BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 610 89R691 SHH-D By: Paxton Business & Commerce 3/6/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT As the regulator of massage establishments, nail salons, and numerous other industries, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is on the front lines of the state's fight against human trafficking. During the 86th Regular Session (2019), TDLR received an appropriation for 12 full-time employees to establish the anti-trafficking unit to address the growing concern with illicit massage businesses. The anti-trafficking unit collaborates with law enforcement and community organizations to investigate and shut down these illegal operations and to connect victims with services. S.B. 610 reinforces the state's efforts to combat illicit massage businesses by codifying the anti-trafficking unit to ensure that agency resources may be most efficiently and effectively leveraged in the fight against this horrific crime. By providing a clear statutory framework, this bill codifies in statute TDLR's authority to continue its work in both regulatory enforcement and assisting local and federal law enforcement in the fight against human trafficking. As proposed, S.B. 610 amends current law relating to combating human trafficking by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation in SECTION 1 (Section 51.552, Occupations Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 51, Occupations Code, by adding Subchapter K, as follows: SUBCHAPTER K. COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING Sec. 51.551. ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES. Authorizes the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to combat human trafficking by establishing within TDLR an anti-trafficking unit, identifying businesses operating within industries regulated by TDLR that are impacted by human trafficking, and coordinating with certain governmental and nongovernmental entities. Sec. 51.552. RULES. Authorizes the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt rules to combat human trafficking for any program regulated by TDLR, including rules for conducting inspections and investigations under Section 51.351 (Inspections and Investigations). Sec. 51.553. CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS IDENTIFYING VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. (a) Provides that information that identifies an individual as a victim of human trafficking is confidential and excepted from disclosure under Section 552.021 (Availability of Public Information), Government Code. (b) Authorizes TDLR to withhold the information without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G (Attorney General Decisions), Chapter 552, Government Code. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 610
89R691 SHH-D By: Paxton
Business & Commerce
3/6/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 610
89R691 SHH-D
By: Paxton
Business & Commerce
3/6/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
As the regulator of massage establishments, nail salons, and numerous other industries, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is on the front lines of the state's fight against human trafficking.
During the 86th Regular Session (2019), TDLR received an appropriation for 12 full-time employees to establish the anti-trafficking unit to address the growing concern with illicit massage businesses. The anti-trafficking unit collaborates with law enforcement and community organizations to investigate and shut down these illegal operations and to connect victims with services.
S.B. 610 reinforces the state's efforts to combat illicit massage businesses by codifying the anti-trafficking unit to ensure that agency resources may be most efficiently and effectively leveraged in the fight against this horrific crime. By providing a clear statutory framework, this bill codifies in statute TDLR's authority to continue its work in both regulatory enforcement and assisting local and federal law enforcement in the fight against human trafficking.
As proposed, S.B. 610 amends current law relating to combating human trafficking by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation in SECTION 1 (Section 51.552, Occupations Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 51, Occupations Code, by adding Subchapter K, as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Sec. 51.551. ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES. Authorizes the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to combat human trafficking by establishing within TDLR an anti-trafficking unit, identifying businesses operating within industries regulated by TDLR that are impacted by human trafficking, and coordinating with certain governmental and nongovernmental entities.
Sec. 51.552. RULES. Authorizes the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt rules to combat human trafficking for any program regulated by TDLR, including rules for conducting inspections and investigations under Section 51.351 (Inspections and Investigations).
Sec. 51.553. CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS IDENTIFYING VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. (a) Provides that information that identifies an individual as a victim of human trafficking is confidential and excepted from disclosure under Section 552.021 (Availability of Public Information), Government Code.
(b) Authorizes TDLR to withhold the information without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G (Attorney General Decisions), Chapter 552, Government Code.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.