Bill > HB3653

This bill significantly strengthens criminal penalties for human trafficking offenses, particularly those involving children and disabled individuals. The legislation increases the severity of punishments for trafficking crimes by creating new capital felony classifications for certain child trafficking offenses under Sections 20A.02(a)(7) and (8) of the Penal Code. For these specific offenses, defendants can now potentially face life imprisonment or life imprisonment without parole, even when the death penalty is not sought. The bill also modifies parole eligibility rules, making inmates convicted of these severe trafficking offenses ineligible for release on parole. Additionally, the legislation expands the list of locations where trafficking offenses committed near specific facilities (such as schools, juvenile detention centers, and child-care facilities) can result in enhanced first-degree felony charges. The changes apply only to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, and are designed to provide more stringent legal consequences for human traffickers, with a particular focus on protecting children and vulnerable populations from exploitation.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3653