Human Trafficking Legislation Passes the Senate

SB 24 by Senator Van de Putte passed out of the Senate today and is on its way to the House.  According to the Texas Tribune, the bill creates separate crimes for sex trafficking and for forced labor trafficking. It increases the penalty for compelling prostitution of a child to a first-degree felony and adds human trafficking to the list of crimes eligible for an automatic life sentence for multiple convictions.  Its House companion, HB 7 by Rep. Thompson, has also been heard in committee and is on the House Local and Consent Calendar.