Senate expands screening for commercial sexual exploitation to children in state care

The Senate unanimously passed the committee substitute for House Bill 451, a measure to expand screening for the risk of commercial sexual exploitation to all children who are in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or under the jurisdiction of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD).

That screening, previously implemented as a pilot program, identifies children at elevated risk of trafficking and connects them with supports and services. Proponents said wider screening would improve access to prevention services and help protect a population at high risk because of prior abuse, neglect or trauma.

Senator Paxton, sponsor on the floor, said the bill expands utilization of screening tools to all children in DFPS conservatorship or under TJJD jurisdiction, explaining the children in those systems are “at a categorically higher risk of becoming victims of human trafficking.” The House had passed the bill unanimously, Paxton reported, and the Senate adopted a floor amendment that narrowed certain fiscal-responsibility language so it applied only to DFPS after TJJD confirmed the committee substitute could be implemented with existing resources.

The Senate considered the floor amendment, adopted it without objection, and moved the measure through third reading and final passage with a recorded 30‑0 vote, according to the floor record. The bill’s text as discussed on the floor would allow more children in state care to be screened and referred to prevention and supportive services.