| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
Relating to requirements for human trafficking awareness and prevention in commercial lodging establishments; authorizing a civil penalty.
No significant fiscal implication the State is anticipated. As the number of cases of noncompliance resulting in penalties is unknown, there may be an indeterminate
amount of penalty revenue.
HB 390 would require that hotels, motels, inns and other similar businesses annually train their employees in human trafficking prevention. The training must be at least 20 minutes long and be approved by the attorney general, or come from a list of preapproved trainings issued by the attorney general. These businesses must maintain sufficient records to prove their employees have undergone this training. HB 390 would also allow the attorney general to impose a fine on establishments who do not comply with the aforementioned human trafficking prevention measures.
HB 390 would also prevent these businesses from discriminating against employees who make a good faith attempt to report suspected human trafficking.
Texas Action opposes HB 390 because it violates the limited government principle. While we sympathize with the bill's aim to reduce and prevent human trafficking, forcing businesses to undergo government mandated training and fining them for failing to do so is not the proper role of state government.