BillTrack50 logo
Free Signup Login
Bill

Bill > HB236

TX HB236

TX HB236
Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.

summary

Introduced
08/18/2025
In Committee
08/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
09/03/2025

Introduced Session

89th Legislature 2nd Special Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.

AI Summary

This bill adds a new section to the Texas Penal Code (Section 8.09) that creates an affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking or compelling prostitution who are prosecuted for criminal conduct directly resulting from their trafficking experience. The bill allows defendants to argue that they should not be criminally liable if they can prove they were compelled through force, fraud, or coercion to commit the offense, and that a reasonable person in their circumstances would have also been compelled to engage in the conduct. To qualify for this defense, the defendant must show they would not have committed the offense without such coercion, were not merely given an opportunity to commit the crime, and are not charged with certain serious offenses (with some exceptions). The bill defines "force, fraud, or coercion" by referencing existing trafficking statutes, and importantly, does not require that the trafficker be charged or convicted for the defendant to use this defense. The law will only apply to offenses committed on or after its effective date, which is 91 days after the end of the legislative session, providing protection and legal recognition for trafficking victims who are often criminalized for actions taken under duress.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (58)

Ben Bumgarner (R)*,  Gary Gates (R)*,  Richard Hayes (R)*,  Janis Holt (R)*,  A.J. Louderback (R)*,  Daniel Alders (R),  Keith Bell (R),  Brad Buckley (R),  Briscoe Cain (R),  David Cook (R),  Charles Cunningham (R),  Pat Curry (R),  Jay Dean (R),  Mark Dorazio (R),  Paul Dyson (R),  Caroline Fairly (R),  James Frank (R),  Stan Gerdes (R),  Cody Harris (R),  Caroline Harris Davila (R),  Cole Hefner (R),  Hillary Hickland (R),  Andy Hopper (R),  Helen Kerwin (R),  Marc LaHood (R),  Jeff Leach (R),  Terri Leo-Wilson (R),  Janie Lopez (R),  David Lowe (R),  Shelley Luther (R),  Don McLaughlin (R),  John McQueeney (R),  Will Metcalf (R),  Brent Money (R),  Matt Morgan (R),  Mike Olcott (R),  Tom Oliverson (R),  Angelia Orr (R),  Jared Patterson (R),  Dennis Paul (R),  Katrina Pierson (R),  Keresa Richardson (R),  Nate Schatzline (R),  Alan Schoolcraft (R),  Matt Shaheen (R),  Joanne Shofner (R),  Shelby Slawson (R),  David Spiller (R),  Valoree Swanson (R),  Carl Tepper (R),  Tony Tinderholt (R),  Steve Toth (R),  Ellen Troxclair (R),  Cody Vasut (R),  Denise Villalobos (R),  Wesley Virdell (R),  Trey Wharton (R),  Terry Wilson (R), 

Last Action

Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence (on 08/20/2025)
(3 Companion Bills)

bill text

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...