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Signed Into Law
Signed May 29, 2025Effective 2025-05-29
HB1778

Regular Session

Relating to human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography and to the prosecution of sexual or assaultive offenses or the prosecution of a failure to stop or report those offenses; amending and harmonizing certain statute of limitations provisions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

HB1778: Government Affairs Overview

HB1778 imposes strict new operational mandates on the body art, cosmetology, and massage industries while significantly expanding criminal liability for all business owners regarding the reporting of offenses against minors. The legislation elevates the "failure to report" an assault against a child to a 3rd Degree Felony and broadens the scope to include non-aggravated assault, meaning managers now face felony charges for failing to immediately report even "minor" physical altercations involving minors to law enforcement.

Rep. Senfronia Thompson·House Bill·Regular Session

Critical
Low Cost
Effective:2025-05-29
Business Impact

Who HB1778 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: critical

Significant regulatory changes (effective 2025-05-29). Review with your legal and compliance teams to understand implications.

🏥

Healthcare

Affected business types:

  • Hospitals
  • Healthcare systems
  • Medical practices
  • Health insurance providers
View all healthcare legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Tattoo & Body Piercing: You must integrate HHSC-approved human trafficking training into your onboarding process. No employee may work on the floor after Jan 1, 2026, without this certification.
  • 2Cosmetology & Barbering: License renewal requirements now include a mandatory Continuing Education (CE) module on human trafficking. Staff cannot renew licenses without this.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

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HB1778
Relating to human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography and to the prosecution of sexual or assaultive offenses or the prosecution of a fai...
Critical Urgency
Passed with Opposition
House Vote148 - 1
YEA
99% in favor149 voting
Senate Vote31 - 0
YEA
100% in favor31 voting
1
Total Opposition Votes
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-05-29
Enforcing Agencies
DSHSHHSCOCAOAG+1 more
Primary Author: Rep. Senfronia Thompson
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025 (Primary operational and penal code changes).
  • Compliance Deadline:
  • Immediate (Sept 1, 2025): New signage requirements for body piercing studios and immediate reporting duties for all businesses regarding assaults.
  • January 1, 2026: Hard deadline for all tattoo and body piercing studio employees to complete human trafficking training.
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) must adopt rules "as soon as practicable" after Sept 1, 2025.
  • *Regulatory Gray Zone:* Between Sept 1, 2025, and Jan 1, 2026, agencies will be defining specific course content. Do not purchase third-party training until the approved list is published.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Audit Premises: If you offer body piercing, ensure the mandated human trafficking sign is posted in a conspicuous place by Sept 1, 2025.
  • 2. Update Handbooks: Revise employee manuals to explicitly mandate the immediate reporting of *any* physical altercation involving a minor to law enforcement.
  • 3. Calendar Deadlines: Mark Jan 1, 2026, as the "No Train, No Work" deadline for tattoo/piercing staff.
  • 4. Monitor HHSC: Assign a compliance officer to watch for the release of the "Approved Training Course List." Do not pay for unverified courses.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Employment Agreements (Tattoo/Piercing & Cosmetology): You must amend contracts to state that maintaining active licensure and completing state-mandated human trafficking training is a *condition of continued employment*.
  • Commercial Leases: Salon suite owners and landlords leasing to massage establishments must update lease terms to require immediate compliance with HB1778. The law expands license revocation and nuisance abatement risks for the property owner based on tenant conduct.

Hiring/Training

  • Tattoo & Body Piercing: You must integrate HHSC-approved human trafficking training into your onboarding process. No employee may work on the floor after Jan 1, 2026, without this certification.
  • Cosmetology & Barbering: License renewal requirements now include a mandatory Continuing Education (CE) module on human trafficking. Staff cannot renew licenses without this.
  • General Management: All managers must be trained on the new "Failure to Report" standard. If they witness a simple assault against a minor and fail to call the police, they are personally liable for a 3rd Degree Felony.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Training Verification: Tattoo and body piercing studios must maintain a physical or digital compliance folder containing training certificates for *every* employee, ready for inspection by TDLR or local health officials.
  • Signage Logs: Body piercing studios must post the specific human trafficking emergency sign (previously only required for tattoo/massage). Document this placement with dated photos in your compliance log.

Fees & Costs

  • Training Costs: The law mandates HHSC approve at least one course that is free of charge. However, budget for "time off floor" operational costs while staff complete training.
  • Insurance Gaps: Review General Liability and EPLI policies. Most exclude coverage for criminal acts. If a manager is charged with a felony for failing to report an assault, your policy will likely not cover their legal defense.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • "Time Prescribed" for New Hires: The statute requires training within a time "prescribed by rules." Until HHSC clarifies, you must assume training is required *prior* to the employee's first shift interacting with customers.
  • Course Portability: It is currently unclear if a training certificate earned at a previous employer is valid at a new studio. Pending rulemaking, assume certificates belong to the employee, but the studio must hold a copy.
  • "Simple Assault" Threshold: The law expands reporting duties to non-aggravated assault. The statute does not define the severity threshold (e.g., a shove vs. a punch). Rulemaking is unlikely to clarify this penal code change; businesses should adopt a "report everything" policy to mitigate felony risk.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Jan 8, 2025
Passed House
May 6, 2025
Passed Senate
May 16, 2025
Signed
May 29, 2025
Effective
May 29, 2025
TopicsCrimesCrimes--against PersonsCrimes--against Persons--generalCrimes--against Persons--sexualCriminal ProcedureCriminal Procedure--generalCriminal Procedure--sentencing & PunishmentDisabilities, Persons WithElectronic Information SystemsLaw EnforcementMinorsMinors--crimes AgainstChild AbuseHuman TraffickingPornographyProstitutionSexual AssaultCourt Administration, Office ofHealth & Human Services CommissionHuman Trafficking Prevention Coordinating CouncilLicensing & Regulation, Texas Commission ofState Health Services, Department ofContinuing EducationAlcoholic Beverage Commission, TexasAttorney GeneralCriminal Justice, Texas Department ofFamily & Protective Services, Department ofHuman Trafficking Prevention Task ForceJuvenile Justice Department, TexasLicensing & Regulation, Texas Department ofCrime Victims
03

House Authors

Rep. Senfronia ThompsonDemocrat · Primary Author
Joint Authors
Coauthors (2)

Senate Sponsors

Sen. Joan HuffmanRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)

Bill Text(with markup)

Showing first 50k characters.

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB1778

Q

What does Texas HB1778 do?

HB1778 imposes strict new operational mandates on the body art, cosmetology, and massage industries while significantly expanding criminal liability for all business owners regarding the reporting of offenses against minors. The legislation elevates the "failure to report" an assault against a child to a 3rd Degree Felony and broadens the scope to include non-aggravated assault, meaning managers now face felony charges for failing to immediately report even "minor" physical altercations involving minors to law enforcement.

Q

Who authored HB1778?

HB1778 was authored by Texas Representative Senfronia Thompson during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB1778 signed into law?

HB1778 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 29, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB1778?

HB1778 is enforced by Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Office of Court Administration (OCA), Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Q

How significant are the changes in HB1778?

The regulatory priority for HB1778 is rated as "critical". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB1778?

The cost impact of HB1778 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB1778 address?

HB1778 addresses topics including crimes, crimes--against persons, crimes--against persons--general, crimes--against persons--sexual and criminal procedure.

Q

What are the key dates for HB1778?

Key dates for HB1778: Effective date is 2025-05-29. Rulemaking: Approve human trafficking training courses and adopt implementation rules for tattoo and body piercing studios. (As soon as practicable after 2025-09-01); Adopt rules requiring cosmetology and barbering license holders to complete continuing education on human trafficking. (As soon as practicable after 2025-09-01). Consult with legal

Q

What are the penalties under HB1778?

HB1778 establishes the following penalties: criminal penalty of 3rd Degree Felony (previously Class A Misdemeanor) for Failure to stop or report a sexual or assaultive offense against a child (scope expanded to include non-aggravated assault).; criminal penalty of 1st Degree Felony for Continuous Promotion of Prostitution (engaging in conduct 2+ times within 30 days).; administrative penalty of License Revocation for Massage therapists/establishments convicted of new offenses (e.g., Continuous Promotion) or operating at a sexually oriented business.. Consult with legal counsel for specific applicability to your situation.

Q

Which Texas businesses are affected by HB1778?

HB1778 primarily affects healthcare providers and medical facilities. These businesses should review the legislation with their legal and compliance teams to understand potential impacts.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026