New Texas laws crack down on human trafficking

AUSTIN—Gov. Rick Perry has signed legislation designed to aid in the prosecution of human traffickers and increase penalties for such offenders.

Texas Senate Bill 24, led by Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, and supported by the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, helps put into place recommendations from the state attorney general to make prosecuting human traffickers easier.

The bill creates a new offense for “compelling” prostitution for adult and child victims, more stringent parole requirements for traffickers, stronger restrictions on bond release. Forced labor and forced sexual acts are now prosecutable with first-degree felony punishment limits up to a life sentence.

“Human traffickers exploit their victims' hopes and dreams, promising better days and better lives but delivering them instead into a world that's nothing more than modern-day slavery,” Perry said.

“Hopefully, when human traffickers understand their own freedom and profits are on the line, perhaps for the rest of their lives, they will think twice about continuing to engage in these criminal activities.”

CLC Director Suzii Paynter said lawmakers stood up for the vulnerable in Texas by passing SB 24.

“This critical piece of legislation being signed today gives our state the tools to prosecute offenders and protect victims of human trafficking,” she said.

“Human trafficking is not only an international problem, but a cause for deep concern in our state. I am proud to have worked with Gov. Perry, the Office of the Attorney General, and the legislature to create sound policy that combats human trafficking.

“The changes in statute made by SB 24 complement the work being done in our communities and churches to provide victims' services, and I would like to thank

Sen. Van de Putte and Rep. Thompson for their leadership in protecting the most vulnerable citizens of Texas.”

Texas House Bill 3000, spearheaded by Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, creates a new first-degree felony charge in the penal code for continuous trafficking of people, which applies to those who commit at least two trafficking offenses and is punishable with up to a life sentence. A second conviction warrants life without the possibility of parole.

During the regular legislative session, numerous Texas Baptist groups—including the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas and Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas—visited with Texas lawmakers to help them understand the need for such legislation.

Human trafficking is one of the ministry points of emphasis for Texas WMU, which has sought to mobilize people across the state to minister to victims of trafficking, advocate on behalf of victims and seek to end what it calls modern day slavery.

“The issue of human trafficking is so large and complex that one could be paralyzed and do nothing,” said Carolyn Porterfield, Texas WMU multicultural consultant.

“That is not an acceptable option. As a first step, I chose to go to Austin and support what is being done. People can learn who is proposing legislation. The next step is to contact the office of our own state legislators and ask them to support it.”

Tomi Grover, who leads TraffickStop , a ministry partially supported by the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions and gifts to missions through the Texas Baptist Cooperative Program, said the legislation is an important step to cracking down on human trafficking in Texas. Numerous reports have indicated Texas is one of the primary corridors for trafficking in United States.

“Through SB 24, Texas legislators are making it clear that this crime is not going to be tolerated in our state and that victims will be treated with dignity,” Grover said.