Bill

HB 2552

85(R) - 2017
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Senate State Affairs
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Senate State Affairs
Crimes
Human Trafficking

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Senfronia Thompson

Sponsor(s)

Sylvia Garcia

Bill Caption

Relating to prostitution and trafficking of persons and to certain criminal and civil consequences of that conduct.  


Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated except for an indeterminate impact associated with amending certain sections of the Penal Code.

Bill Analysis

If this bill passes, it would be considered prima facie evidence that the defendant knowingly tolerated prostitution, the promotion of prostitution, or compelling prostitution, if an arrested person or a law enforcement officer testify that the illegal activity is committed at a place licensed as a massage establishment.

In addition, if there is proof that someone is using their massage therapy professional license in violation of the terms of their license, and if that activity occurs at a place maintained by the defendant, it would be considered prima facie evidence that the defendant knowingly tolerated the activity and did not make a reasonable attempt to abate the activity.  The aforementioned evidence could also be used in subsequent suites to demonstrate that the landowner knowingly tolerated the activity and that they did not make a reasonable attempt to abate the activity. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

We oppose the provisions of this bill adding new licensure requirements and regulations on cosmetologists. We support provisions of this bill creating the offense of sexual coercion and which enhance penalties for killing unborn babies or forcing a woman to have an abortion. Ultimately, because we object to some provisions of the bill which infringe on liberty and support other provisions which protect our liberty principles, we do not object to the bill's passage but remain neutral. 

Organizations Supporting

City of Dallas
Houston Police Department
Texas Alliance for Life
Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops
Texas Impact