Bill: SB 1801, 86(R) - 2019

Committee

Senate State Affairs

2nd Chamber Committee

House Criminal Jurisprudence

Vote Recommendation

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

Author(s)

Joan Huffman

Sponsor(s)

Todd Hunter

Co-Sponsor(s)

Senfronia Thompson

Bill Caption

Relating to orders of nondisclosure for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

Orders of nondisclosure seal a criminal record from the general public, while permitting law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and sensitive fields (e.g., health, education, and finance) to see the record.

SB 1801 would allow a victim of an offense of trafficking of persons on community supervision for certain offenses, and the conviction is subsequently set aside, to petition the court for an order of nondisclosure on the grounds that the person committed the offense solely as a victim. It would also remove the requirement that a person, in order to petition the court for a nondisclosure order, not be convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for any offense other than a fine-only offense during the period after the court pronounced the sentence or placed the person on community supervision for the offense. 

Also, this bill would expand the grounds on which the petition may be based to include grounds that the offense was committed solely as a victim of an offense of continuous trafficking of person or compelling prostitution. This bill would make several other changes to streamline the process of petitioning for an order of nondisclosure for certain eligible persons.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports SB 1801 because it promotes individual liberty and limited government principles. This bill would provide additional protections for victims of human trafficking and related offenses, as well as help these individuals re-enter society and prevent future recidivism.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 04:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/86r/sb1801?print_view=true