Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes protections for human trafficking victims in Texas.

Highlights:

• Establishes legal protections for human trafficking victims in Texas, including if the individual (Sec. 1):

• Was a victim of a human trafficking offense; or

• Engaged in the conduct that is the subject of the prosecution as a direct result of being caused, through means of force, fraud, or coercion, as described to engage in that specific conduct.

• Specifies that these provisions shall only apply if (Sec. 1):

• The actor would not have engaged in the conduct that is the subject of the prosecution but for the use of force, fraud, or coercion;

• The use of force, fraud, or coercion would have compelled a reasonable person in the actor’s circumstances to engage in the conduct;

• The actor was not merely allowed to engage in the conduct without the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and

• The conduct does not constitute an offense listed in the Code of Criminal Procedure, unless the actor is charged only as a party to that offense.

• Specifies that the actor is not required to prove that the person using force, fraud, or coercion to cause the actor to engage in the conduct that is the subject of the prosecution was charged with or convicted of an offense (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect 91 days after the final adjournment date of the current legislative session (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text