SB955

Regular Session

Relating to the punishment for the offense of trafficking of persons.

LowStandard timeline

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Texas Department of Public Safety • Local Law Enforcement Agencies • District Attorneys

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Compliance Deadline: August 15, 2025 (All contract amendments and staff training must be finalized prior to the law's effective date).
Agency Rulemaking: No statutory rulemaking is mandated; however, expect immediate policy updates from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and county sheriffs regarding vendor access protocols to align with these enhanced penalties.

Immediate Action Plan

Map all physical assets and standard logistics routes against a database of Texas correctional facilities to identify 1,000-foot exposure zones.
Audit current vendor access lists for correctional facilities and purge inactive or unverified personnel immediately.
Issue a compliance memo to fleet managers regarding the new penalty zones and update geofencing alerts.
Review professional liability insurance policies to ensure coverage for civil defense costs related to negligent supervision claims.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Vendor Agreements: Amend Master Service Agreements (MSAs) to include immediate termination clauses for any employee suspected of fraternization with inmates.
Indemnification: Require subcontractors to indemnify your organization specifically against criminal acts committed by their employees within the new 1,000-foot enhancement zones.

Hiring/Training

Enhanced Screening: Update background check criteria for staff with facility access to specifically screen for prior solicitation or exploitation offenses.
Driver Training: Logistics personnel must be trained that correctional facility perimeters now carry "School Zone" style penalty enhancements; loitering near these facilities is a critical risk.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

GPS Data Retention: Logistics companies must retain GPS data for routes near correctional facilities to provide a defensive record proving vehicles were "in-transit" rather than loitering.
Access Logs: Maintain precise, timestamped logs of all non-employee personnel entering secure perimeters to track potential exposure.

Fees & Costs

Insurance Premiums: Anticipate potential increases in General Liability premiums for operations within the "enhancement zone."
Legal Spend: Budget for immediate legal counsel review of employment contracts and liability insurance exclusions regarding "criminal acts."

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

Scope of "Recruitment": The statute punishes "recruiting" a confined person but does not define the method. Businesses must assume that digital communication, passed notes, or third-party messaging constitutes a violation.
Definition of "Correctional Facility": The status of privately operated halfway houses and residential re-entry centers is legally ambiguous. Until clarified by case law, treat *any* facility housing court-ordered individuals as a "Correctional Facility" for the purpose of the 1,000-foot zone.

Need Help Understanding Implementation?

Our government affairs experts can walk you through this bill's specific impact on your operations.

Schedule Consultation

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.

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsCorrections Corrections--jails & Prisons Crimes Crimes--against Persons Crimes--against Persons--general Crimes--against Persons--sexual Human Trafficking

Official Analysis

View HRO Analysis View All Bill Documents

BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 955
89R2612 MCF-D	By: Parker
	Criminal Justice
	3/13/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Human trafficking is a global crisis that affects millions of people every year, including men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of modern-day slavery. In Texas, human trafficking is a significant problem, with the state ranking second in the nation for the number of reported cases.

Traffickers use various tactics to lure and control their victims, including recruitment from vulnerable populations such as homeless individuals, runaways, and foster children. In some cases, traffickers also recruit their victims from jails or correctional facilities while they are confined, taking advantage of their vulnerable and isolated status. This type of recruitment is particularly heinous, as victims are already in a vulnerable and restricted environment with limited options for escape or assistance.

S.B. 955 enhances the penalty for traffickers who recruit their victims from jails, raising these cases from second degree felonies to first degree felonies. Enhancing the penalty for these traffickers can help deter this type of criminal activity and send a message that such behavior will not be tolerated in Texas. By increasing the punishment for these offenses, the state can better protect vulnerable populations and hold traffickers accountable for their heinous crimes.

S.B. 955 also clarifies currently duplicative language in the statute.

As proposed, S.B. 955 amends current law relating to the punishment for the offense of trafficking of persons.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Reenacts Section 20A.02(b), Penal Code, as amended by Chapters 93 (S.B. 1527) and 452 (H.B. 3554), Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, and amends it, as follows:

(b) Provides that an offense under Section 20A.02 (Trafficking of Persons) is a felony of the first degree if:

(1)-(3) makes no changes to these subdivisions; or

(4) the actor:

(A) makes no changes to this paragraph;

(B) makes a nonsubstantive change to this paragraph;

(C) subject to Subsection (b-1), recruited, enticed, or obtained the trafficked person from a shelter or facility operating as a residential treatment center that serves runaway youth, foster children, the homeless, or persons subjected to human trafficking, domestic violence, or sexual assault; or

(D) subject to Subsection (b-1), recruited, enticed, or obtained the trafficked person from a correctional facility while the trafficked person was confined in the facility.

SECTION 2. Reenacts Section 20A.02(b-1), Penal Code, as amended by Chapters 93 (S.B. 1527) and 452 (H.B. 3554), Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, and amends it to provide that an offense under this section is a felony of the first degree punishable by certain sentences if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the actor committed the crime on certain premises, including a correctional facility, and to make nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 3. Makes the application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Tan ParkerRepublican · Primary Author

Coauthors (3)

House Sponsor

Rep. David CookRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 955

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to the punishment for the offense of trafficking of
	persons.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 20A.02(b), Penal Code, as amended by
	Chapters 93 (S.B. 1527) and 452 (H.B. 3554), Acts of the 88th
	Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, is reenacted and amended to
	read as follows:
	(b) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection and
	Subsection (b-1), an offense under this section is a felony of the
	second degree. An offense under this section is a felony of the
	first degree if:
	(1) the applicable conduct constitutes an offense
	under Subsection (a)(5), (6), (7), or (8), regardless of whether
	the actor knows the age of the child or whether the actor knows the
	victim is disabled at the time of the offense;
	(2) the commission of the offense results in serious
	bodily injury to or the death of the person who is trafficked; [or]
	(3) the commission of the offense results in the death
	of an unborn child of the person who is trafficked; or
	(4) the actor:
	(A) used or exhibited a deadly weapon during the
	commission of the offense;
	(B) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly
	impeded the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the
	trafficked person by applying pressure to the person's throat or
	neck or by blocking the person's nose or mouth; [or]
	(C) subject to Subsection (b-1), recruited,
	enticed, or obtained the trafficked person from a shelter or
	facility operating as a residential treatment center that serves
	runaway youth, foster children, the homeless, or persons subjected
	to human trafficking, domestic violence, or sexual assault; or
	(D) subject to Subsection (b-1), recruited,
	enticed, or obtained the trafficked person from a correctional
	facility while the trafficked person was confined in the facility.
	SECTION 2. Section 20A.02(b-1), Penal Code, as amended by
	Chapters 451 (H.B. 3553) and 452 (H.B. 3554), Acts of the 88th
	Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, is reenacted and amended to
	read as follows:
	(b-1) An offense under this section is a felony of the first
	degree punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of
	Criminal Justice for life or for a term of not more than 99 years or
	less than 25 years if it is shown on the trial of the offense that
	the actor committed the offense in a location that was:
	(1) on the premises of or within 1,000 feet of the
	premises of:
	(A) a school; [or]
	(B) an institution of higher education or private
	or independent institution of higher education, as defined by
	Section 61.003, Education Code; [or]
	(C) [~~(B)~~] a juvenile detention facility;
	(D) [~~(C)~~] a post-adjudication secure
	correctional facility;
	(E) [~~(D)~~] a shelter or facility operating as a
	residential treatment center that serves runaway youth, foster
	children, people who are homeless, or persons subjected to human
	trafficking, domestic violence, or sexual assault;
	(F) [~~(E)~~] a community center offering youth
	services and programs; [or]
	(G) [~~(F)~~] a child-care facility, as defined by
	Section 42.002, Human Resources Code; or
	(H) a correctional facility; or
	(2) on the premises where or within 1,000 feet of the
	premises where:
	(A) an official school function was taking place;
	or
	(B) an event sponsored or sanctioned by the
	University Interscholastic League was taking place.
	SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only
	to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
	An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
	governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
	and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
	purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
	effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred
	before that date.
	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 17, 2025

TO:	Honorable Pete Flores, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB955 by Parker (Relating to the punishment for the offense of trafficking of persons.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would increase the penalty for the offense of trafficking of persons from a second degree felony to a first degree felony if the actor recruited, enticed, or obtained the trafficked person from a correctional facility while the trafficked person was confined in the facility. The bill would also make certain first degree felony trafficking offenses punishable with a minimum twenty-five year sentence when the offense is committed on the premises of or within 1,000 feet of the premises of a correctional facility.

It is assumed that any fiscal impact and any impact on state correctional populations or on the demand for state correctional resources would not be significant.

Local Government Impact

It is assumed that any fiscal impact to units of local government associated with enforcement, prosecution, supervision, or confinement would not be significant.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts

LBB Staff:

JMc, MGol, DGI

Related Legislation

Explore more bills from this author and on related topics

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB955

What does Texas SB955 do?

SB955 elevates human trafficking to a First Degree Felony (minimum 25 years imprisonment) for offenses involving the recruitment of confined persons or occurring within 1,000 feet of a correctional facility. This legislation creates immediate liability exposure for private prison operators, facility vendors, and logistics companies operating near jails, necessitating rigorous oversight of staff interactions with inmates and strict geofencing of fleet operations. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: August 15, 2025 (All contract amendments and staff training must be finalized prior to the law's effective date).

Who authored SB955?

SB955 was authored by Texas Senator Tan Parker during the Regular Session.

When was SB955 signed into law?

SB955 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Which agencies enforce SB955?

SB955 is enforced by Texas Department of Public Safety, Local Law Enforcement Agencies and District Attorneys.

How urgent is compliance with SB955?

The compliance urgency for SB955 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of SB955?

The cost impact of SB955 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does SB955 address?

SB955 addresses topics including corrections, corrections--jails & prisons, crimes, crimes--against persons and crimes--against persons--general.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

Need Strategic Guidance on This Bill?

Need help with Government Relations, Lobbying, or compliance? JD Key Consulting has the expertise you're looking for.