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89(R) HB 2761 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
H.B. No. 2761
AN ACT
relating to the prosecution of the offenses of trafficking of
persons, continuous trafficking of persons, and compelling
prostitution.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 20A.02, Penal Code, is amended by adding
Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e)
This subsection applies only to a prosecution for an
offense under Subsection (a)(7) or (8), in which the actor is
alleged to have caused a trafficked child or disabled individual to
engage in or become the victim of prostitution, as defined by
Section 43.01. It is not a defense to a prosecution described by
this subsection that the trafficked child or disabled individual:
(1)
lacks the culpable mental state to engage in the
act of prostitution; or
(2) did not complete the act of prostitution.
SECTION 2. Section 20A.03, Penal Code, is amended by adding
Subsection (f) to read as follows:
(f)
This subsection applies only to a prosecution for an
offense under this section based on conduct constituting an offense
under Section 20A.02(a)(7) or (8), in which the actor is alleged to
have caused for one or more times a trafficked child or disabled
individual to engage in or become the victim of prostitution as
defined by Section 43.01. It is not a defense to a prosecution
described by this subsection that the trafficked child or disabled
individual:
(1)
lacks the culpable mental state to engage in the
act of prostitution; or
(2) did not complete the act of prostitution.
SECTION 3. Section 43.05, Penal Code, is amended by adding
Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e)
It is not a defense to prosecution under Subsection
(a)(2) or (3) that the child or disabled individual:
(1)
lacks the culpable mental state to engage in the
act of prostitution; or
(2) did not complete the act of prostitution.
SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense was
committed before that date.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
______________________________
______________________________
President of the Senate
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2761 was passed by the House on May
12, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2761 was passed by the Senate on May
26, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor