Bill > HB45

This bill establishes a new process for the Texas Attorney General to prosecute human trafficking cases when local prosecutors do not take action. Specifically, if a law enforcement agency submits a report about a potential human trafficking offense (under Chapter 20A of the Penal Code) to a local prosecutor and the Attorney General, and 180 days pass without the local prosecutor initiating prosecution, the Attorney General gains the jurisdiction to prosecute the case. The bill requires law enforcement agencies to simultaneously submit such reports to both the local prosecutor and the Attorney General, and mandates that agencies provide additional investigation information to the Attorney General upon request. The local prosecutor can file a motion objecting to the Attorney General's involvement, which will trigger a court hearing to determine whether prosecutorial action has been taken. The bill also amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to allow appeals of court orders related to the Attorney General's prosecution of these cases. The changes will apply only to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, and are intended to ensure more comprehensive prosecution of human trafficking cases across Texas.