S.B. No. 741 seeks to strengthen Texas laws related to human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography by introducing new definitions, requirements, and penalties. Key provisions include mandatory human trafficking training for employees of tattoo and body piercing studios, the establishment of a new offense for continuous promotion of prostitution, and increased penalties for trafficking offenses involving children or disabled individuals. The bill also modifies the composition of the council overseeing human trafficking efforts by adding a representative from the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System. Additionally, it requires certain businesses to post human trafficking-related signage and specifies that offenses involving trafficking children or disabled individuals are felonies of the first degree, regardless of the perpetrator's knowledge of the victim's age or disability status.

The bill further amends the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure to enhance protections for children and persons with disabilities. It expands the definition of who can provide statements regarding offenses, allows for the admission of multiple statements in court under specific criteria, and clarifies the definition of "person with a disability." Notably, it reclassifies the offense of failing to report or assist in cases of sexual or assaultive offenses against children from a Class A misdemeanor to a felony of the third degree. The changes will take effect for offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, ensuring a transition period for compliance with the new regulations while maintaining the applicability of previous laws for offenses committed before that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 402.034, Government Code 402.0351, Subchapter G, Chapter , Occupations Code 402.0351, Penal Code 43.021, Health and Safety Code 169.002, Occupations Code 455.005, Occupations Code 455.251, Penal Code 43.26, Penal Code 38.17 (Penal Code 38, Penal Code 43, Government Code 402, Occupations Code 455, Subchapter G, Chapter , Occupations Code 402, Health and Safety Code 169)