Bill Caption

Fiscal Notes

Bill Analysis

Summary: Previously, the Texas Legislature granted victims of human trafficking the ability to seek civil damages against traffickers. HB 3241 grants the Attorney General the power to seek civil damages from traffickers.

• This bill creates racketeering charges for human traffickers.
• This bill grants the Attorney General the ability to bring a civil suit against traffickers.
• This bill allows the State to receive damages under a conviction of racketeering related to human trafficking.
• This bill allows a civil suit to be brought in conjunction with a criminal suit.
• This bill states that the State bears the burden of proof.
• This bill creates a statute of limitations of seven years.
• This bill allows a local prosecutor with criminal jurisdiction to require the Attorney General to abate the civil suit.

Analysis: Human trafficking is a despicable crime. This legislation creates new avenues to hold human traffickers accountable for their crimes. HB 3241 allows the Attorney General to file a civil suit against a trafficker but ensures that the civil suit does not interfere with a possible criminal suit. For these reasons, TPPA recommends voting YES on HB 3241.