Bill: HB 2286, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

House Criminal Jurisprudence

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Positive Neutral Neutral

Author(s)

Tan Parker

Bill Caption

Relating to judicial proceedings on a petition for a pardon or an order of expunction of criminal history record information for certain victims of trafficking of persons convicted of prostitution.

Fiscal Notes

Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration, the Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Department of Public Safety, and the Department of Criminal Justice, no significant fiscal impact to the state is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

The bill would amend the Business and Commerce Code, Occupations Code, and Government Code to authorize a defendant convicted of prostitution and that successfully completes a period of deferred adjudication or community supervision to petition the court for an order of nondisclosure on the grounds that the person committed the offense solely as a victim of trafficking. The bill would authorize the court to issue an order prohibiting criminal justice agencies from disclosing information to the public about the conviction and would amend provisions regarding obtaining and complying with an order of nondisclosure to include convictions within this category.

Vote Recommendation Notes

We sympathize with those who, via human trafficking, were thrust into a life of prostitution -- sometimes involuntarily. We support efforts to help transition victims of human trafficking out of prostitution. By allowing for official records to be sealed (via an order of nondisclosure), former prostitutes can avoid the stigma associated with having a record of prostitution; a clearer record helps in their search for legitimate employment and housing in safer neighborhoods. This bill aims to increase personal responsibility, so we support HB 2286.

Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 06:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/hb2286?print_view=true