Bill > HB4418

This bill expands the legal authority of county and district attorneys to enforce human trafficking awareness regulations for commercial lodging establishments, previously a power held exclusively by the attorney general. Specifically, the bill allows county and district attorneys to provide written notice to lodging establishment operators about potential violations, giving them 30 days to cure the issue before facing civil penalties. These local prosecutors can now bring legal actions to recover civil penalties or seek injunctive relief to ensure compliance with human trafficking prevention requirements. When a county or district attorney brings such an action, it must be filed in a district court within the county where the violation occurred, and any civil penalties recovered will be payable to that county. The bill also permits these local attorneys to recover reasonable expenses related to their legal actions, including court costs, attorney's fees, and investigatory expenses. This legislation aims to enhance local enforcement capabilities in combating human trafficking by empowering more local legal authorities to take action against commercial lodging establishments that may be non-compliant with human trafficking prevention regulations. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Business and Industry

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4418