S.B. No. 1212 amends the Texas Penal Code to enhance the prosecution and punishment for offenses related to the trafficking of persons, particularly focusing on children and disabled individuals. The bill introduces new legal language that specifies that a person can be charged with trafficking a child or disabled individual with the intent for them to engage in forced labor or services, regardless of whether the trafficker knows the victim's age or disability status. Additionally, it expands the definitions of trafficking offenses and the associated penalties, making it a first-degree felony for certain actions, including those that occur near schools or juvenile facilities.

The bill also modifies the existing penalties for trafficking offenses, establishing that such offenses are generally classified as first-degree felonies, particularly when they involve children or disabled individuals. It removes previous language that limited the circumstances under which these offenses could be classified as first-degree felonies. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that the changes in law will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

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