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 perpetrator 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 committed near schools or juvenile detention facilities.

The bill also modifies existing provisions regarding the penalties for trafficking offenses, establishing that such offenses are felonies of the first degree if they involve children or disabled individuals, regardless of the perpetrator's knowledge of the victim's age or disability. It further clarifies the circumstances under which these offenses are prosecuted, ensuring that the law applies to a broader range of trafficking-related activities. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and any offenses committed before this date will be governed by the previous law.

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