The bill amends the Business & Commerce Code to enhance the authority of county and district attorneys in Texas regarding the enforcement of human trafficking awareness and prevention in commercial lodging establishments. Specifically, it allows these attorneys, alongside the attorney general, to provide written notice to operators of commercial lodging establishments suspected of violations. This notice must detail the violation, inform the operator of potential civil penalties, and provide a 30-day period to cure the violation before penalties are imposed.

Additionally, the bill grants county and district attorneys the ability to initiate legal actions to recover civil penalties or seek injunctive relief for compliance with the relevant chapter. It requires these attorneys to notify the attorney general before filing such actions and specifies that any civil penalties recovered by them will be payable to the county where the court action is held. The bill aims to strengthen local enforcement capabilities in combating human trafficking in commercial lodging settings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Commerce Code 114.0102, Commerce Code 114.0104 (Commerce Code 114)