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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the prosecution of and punishment for the offense of |
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prostitution. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 43.02, Penal Code, as amended by |
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Chapters 332 (H.B. 10) and 1273 (S.B. 825), Acts of the 84th |
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Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, is amended by reenacting and |
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amending Subsection (c) and reenacting Subsection (c-1) to read as |
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follows: |
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(c) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class B |
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misdemeanor, except that the offense is: |
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(1) a Class A misdemeanor if the actor has previously |
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been convicted three, four, or five [one or two] times of an offense |
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under Subsection (a); or |
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(2) a state jail felony if the actor has previously |
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been convicted six [three] or more times of an offense under |
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Subsection (a). |
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(c-1) An offense under Subsection (b) is a Class B |
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misdemeanor, except that the offense is: |
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(1) a Class A misdemeanor if the actor has previously |
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been convicted one or two times of an offense under Subsection (b); |
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(2) a state jail felony if the actor has previously |
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been convicted three or more times of an offense under Subsection |
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(b); or |
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(3) a felony of the second degree if the person |
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solicited is: |
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(A) younger than 18 years of age, regardless of |
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whether the actor knows the age of the person solicited at the time |
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the actor commits the offense; |
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(B) represented to the actor as being younger |
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than 18 years of age; or |
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(C) believed by the actor to be younger than 18 |
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years of age. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 32, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Article 32.03 to read as follows: |
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Art. 32.03. DISMISSAL OF CERTAIN PROSTITUTION OFFENSES. At |
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any time before trial commences for an offense under Section 43.02, |
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Penal Code, a court may, on the request of the defendant and with |
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the consent of the attorney representing the state, defer |
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proceedings without entering an adjudication of guilt and permit |
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the defendant to participate in a commercially sexually exploited |
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persons court program established under Chapter 126, Government |
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Code, or in a first offender prostitution prevention program |
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established under Chapter 169, Health and Safety Code, if the |
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defendant is otherwise eligible to participate in the program under |
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the applicable chapter. If the defendant successfully completes |
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the commercially sexually exploited persons court program or |
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prostitution prevention program, the court may dismiss the |
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proceedings against the defendant and discharge the defendant. |
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SECTION 3. Article 62.001(5), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(5) "Reportable conviction or adjudication" means a |
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conviction or adjudication, including an adjudication of |
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delinquent conduct or a deferred adjudication, that, regardless of |
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the pendency of an appeal, is a conviction for or an adjudication |
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for or based on: |
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(A) a violation of Section 21.02 (Continuous |
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sexual abuse of young child or children), 21.11 (Indecency with a |
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child), 22.011 (Sexual assault), 22.021 (Aggravated sexual |
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assault), or 25.02 (Prohibited sexual conduct), Penal Code; |
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(B) a violation of Section 43.05 (Compelling |
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prostitution), 43.25 (Sexual performance by a child), or 43.26 |
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(Possession or promotion of child pornography), Penal Code; |
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(B-1) a violation of Section 43.02 |
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(Prostitution), Penal Code, if the offense is punishable under |
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Subsection (c-1)(3) [(c)(3)] of that section; |
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(C) a violation of Section 20.04(a)(4) |
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(Aggravated kidnapping), Penal Code, if the actor committed the |
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offense or engaged in the conduct with intent to violate or abuse |
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the victim sexually; |
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(D) a violation of Section 30.02 (Burglary), |
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Penal Code, if the offense or conduct is punishable under |
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Subsection (d) of that section and the actor committed the offense |
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or engaged in the conduct with intent to commit a felony listed in |
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Paragraph (A) or (C); |
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(E) a violation of Section 20.02 (Unlawful |
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restraint), 20.03 (Kidnapping), or 20.04 (Aggravated kidnapping), |
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Penal Code, if, as applicable: |
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(i) the judgment in the case contains an |
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affirmative finding under Article 42.015; or |
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(ii) the order in the hearing or the papers |
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in the case contain an affirmative finding that the victim or |
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intended victim was younger than 17 years of age; |
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(F) the second violation of Section 21.08 |
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(Indecent exposure), Penal Code, but not if the second violation |
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results in a deferred adjudication; |
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(G) an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation, as |
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defined by Chapter 15, Penal Code, to commit an offense or engage in |
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conduct listed in Paragraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), or (K); |
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(H) a violation of the laws of another state, |
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federal law, the laws of a foreign country, or the Uniform Code of |
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Military Justice for or based on the violation of an offense |
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containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements |
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of an offense listed under Paragraph (A), (B), (B-1), (C), (D), (E), |
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(G), (J), or (K), but not if the violation results in a deferred |
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adjudication; |
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(I) the second violation of the laws of another |
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state, federal law, the laws of a foreign country, or the Uniform |
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Code of Military Justice for or based on the violation of an offense |
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containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements |
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of the offense of indecent exposure, but not if the second violation |
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results in a deferred adjudication; |
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(J) a violation of Section 33.021 (Online |
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solicitation of a minor), Penal Code; or |
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(K) a violation of Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), |
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(7), or (8) (Trafficking of persons), Penal Code. |
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SECTION 4. Section 126.001(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) In this chapter, "commercially sexually exploited |
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persons court program" means a program that has the following |
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essential characteristics: |
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(1) the integration of services in the processing of |
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cases in the judicial system; |
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(2) the use of a nonadversarial approach involving |
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prosecutors and defense attorneys to promote public safety, to |
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reduce the demand for the commercial sex trade and trafficking of |
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persons by educating offenders, and to protect the due process |
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rights of program participants; |
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(3) early identification and prompt placement of |
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eligible participants in the program; |
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(4) access to information, counseling, and services |
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relating to commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking of |
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persons, sex addiction, sexually transmitted diseases, mental |
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health, and substance abuse; |
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(5) a coordinated strategy to govern program responses |
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to participant compliance; |
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(6) monitoring and evaluation of program goals and |
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effectiveness; |
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(7) continuing interdisciplinary education to promote |
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effective program planning, implementation, and operations; and |
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(8) development of partnerships with public agencies |
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and community organizations. |
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SECTION 5. Section 126.004(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) A commercially sexually exploited persons court program |
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established under this chapter must: |
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(1) ensure that a person eligible for the program is |
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provided legal counsel before volunteering to proceed through the |
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program and while participating in the program; |
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(2) allow any participant to withdraw from the program |
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at any time before a trial on the merits has been initiated; |
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(3) provide each participant with information, |
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counseling, and services relating to commercial sexual |
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exploitation, trafficking of persons, sex addiction, sexually |
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transmitted diseases, mental health, and substance abuse; and |
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(4) provide each participant with instruction related |
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to the prevention of prostitution. |
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SECTION 6. Section 402.035(d), Government Code, as amended |
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by Chapters 146 (H.B. 188) and 332 (H.B. 10), Acts of the 84th |
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Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, is reenacted and amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(d) The task force shall: |
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(1) collaborate, as needed to fulfill the duties of |
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the task force, with: |
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(A) United States attorneys' offices [Attorneys'
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Offices] for all of the federal districts of Texas; and |
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(B) special agents or customs and border |
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protection officers and border patrol agents of: |
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(i) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; |
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(ii) the United States Drug Enforcement |
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Administration; |
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(iii) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, |
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Firearms and Explosives; |
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(iv) United States Immigration and Customs |
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Enforcement; or |
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(v) the United States Department of |
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Homeland Security; |
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(2) collect, organize, and periodically publish |
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statistical data on the nature and extent of human trafficking in |
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this state, including data described by Subdivisions (4)(A), (B), |
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(C), (D), and (E); |
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(3) solicit cooperation and assistance from state and |
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local governmental agencies, political subdivisions of the state, |
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nongovernmental organizations, and other persons, as appropriate, |
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for the purpose of collecting and organizing statistical data under |
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Subdivision (2); |
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(4) ensure that each state or local governmental |
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agency and political subdivision of the state and each state or |
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local law enforcement agency, district attorney, or county attorney |
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that assists in the prevention of human trafficking collects |
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statistical data related to human trafficking, including, as |
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appropriate: |
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(A) the number of investigations concerning, |
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arrests and prosecutions for, and convictions of: |
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(i) the offense of trafficking of persons; |
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(ii) the offense of forgery or an offense |
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under Chapter 43, Penal Code, if the offense was committed as part |
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of a criminal episode involving the trafficking of persons; and |
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(iii) an offense punishable under Section |
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43.02(c-1)(3) [43.02(c)(3)], Penal Code, regardless of whether the |
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offense was committed as part of a criminal episode involving the |
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trafficking of persons; |
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(B) demographic information on persons who are |
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convicted of offenses described by Paragraph (A) and persons who |
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are the victims of those offenses; |
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(C) geographic routes by which human trafficking |
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victims are trafficked, including routes by which victims are |
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trafficked across this state's international border, and |
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geographic patterns in human trafficking, including the country or |
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state of origin and the country or state of destination; |
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(D) means of transportation and methods used by |
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persons who engage in trafficking to transport their victims; and |
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(E) social and economic factors that create a |
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demand for the labor or services that victims of human trafficking |
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are forced to provide; |
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(5) work with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement |
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to develop and conduct training for law enforcement personnel, |
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victim service providers, and medical service providers to identify |
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victims of human trafficking; |
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(6) work with the Texas Education Agency, the |
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Department of Family and Protective Services, and the Health and |
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Human Services Commission to: |
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(A) develop a list of key indicators that a |
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person is a victim of human trafficking; |
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(B) develop a standardized curriculum for |
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training doctors, nurses, emergency medical services personnel, |
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teachers, school counselors, school administrators, and personnel |
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from the Department of Family and Protective Services and the |
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Health and Human Services Commission to identify and assist victims |
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of human trafficking; |
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(C) train doctors, nurses, emergency medical |
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services personnel, teachers, school counselors, school |
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administrators, and personnel from the Department of Family and |
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Protective Services and the Health and Human Services Commission to |
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identify and assist victims of human trafficking; |
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(D) develop and conduct training for personnel |
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from the Department of Family and Protective Services and the |
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Health and Human Services Commission on methods for identifying |
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children in foster care who may be at risk of becoming victims of |
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human trafficking; and |
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(E) develop a process for referring identified |
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human trafficking victims and individuals at risk of becoming |
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victims to appropriate entities for services; |
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(7) on the request of a judge of a county court, county |
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court at law, or district court or a county attorney, district |
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attorney, or criminal district attorney, assist and train the judge |
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or the judge's staff or the attorney or the attorney's staff in the |
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recognition and prevention of human trafficking; |
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(8) examine training protocols related to human |
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trafficking issues, as developed and implemented by federal, state, |
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and local law enforcement agencies; |
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(9) collaborate with state and local governmental |
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agencies, political subdivisions of the state, and nongovernmental |
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organizations to implement a media awareness campaign in |
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communities affected by human trafficking; |
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(10) develop recommendations on how to strengthen |
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state and local efforts to prevent human trafficking, protect and |
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assist human trafficking victims, curb markets and other economic |
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avenues that facilitate human trafficking and investigate and |
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prosecute human trafficking offenders; |
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(11) examine the extent to which human trafficking is |
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associated with the operation of sexually oriented businesses, as |
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defined by Section 243.002, Local Government Code, and the |
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workplace or public health concerns that are created by the |
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association of human trafficking and the operation of sexually |
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oriented businesses; [and] |
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(12) develop recommendations for addressing the |
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demand for forced labor or services or sexual conduct involving |
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victims of human trafficking, including recommendations for |
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increased penalties for individuals who engage or attempt to engage |
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in prostitution with victims younger than 18 years of age; and |
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(13) [(12)] identify and report to the governor and |
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legislature on laws, licensure requirements, or other regulations |
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that can be passed at the state and local level to curb trafficking |
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using the Internet and in sexually oriented businesses. |
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SECTION 7. Section 169.001(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) In this chapter, "first offender prostitution |
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prevention program" means a program that has the following |
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essential characteristics: |
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(1) the integration of services in the processing of |
|
cases in the judicial system; |
|
(2) the use of a nonadversarial approach involving |
|
prosecutors and defense attorneys to promote public safety, to |
|
reduce the demand for the commercial sex trade and trafficking of |
|
persons by educating offenders, and to protect the due process |
|
rights of program participants; |
|
(3) early identification and prompt placement of |
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eligible participants in the program; |
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(4) access to information, counseling, and services |
|
relating to commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking of |
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persons, sex addiction, sexually transmitted diseases, mental |
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health, and substance abuse; |
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(5) a coordinated strategy to govern program responses |
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to participant compliance; |
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(6) monitoring and evaluation of program goals and |
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effectiveness; |
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(7) continuing interdisciplinary education to promote |
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effective program planning, implementation, and operations; and |
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(8) development of partnerships with public agencies |
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and community organizations. |
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SECTION 8. Section 169.003(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A first offender prostitution prevention program |
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established under this chapter must: |
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(1) ensure that a person eligible for the program is |
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provided legal counsel before volunteering to proceed through the |
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program and while participating in the program; |
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(2) allow any participant to withdraw from the program |
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at any time before a trial on the merits has been initiated; |
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(3) provide each participant with information, |
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counseling, and services relating to commercial sexual |
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exploitation, trafficking of persons, sex addiction, sexually |
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transmitted diseases, mental health, and substance abuse; and |
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(4) provide each participant with classroom |
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instruction related to the prevention of prostitution. |
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SECTION 9. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, |
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and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For |
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purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the |
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effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred |
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before that date. |
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SECTION 10. To the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails |
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over another Act of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, |
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relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted |
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codes. |
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SECTION 11. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |