85R12809 SMT-D     By: Lucio S.B. No. 1859       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of a human trafficking unit within   the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 411.02096 to read as follows:          Sec. 411.02096.  HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNIT. (a) In this   section:                (1)  "Human trafficking" means conduct that   constitutes an offense under Section 20A.02, Penal Code.                (2)  "Unit" means the human trafficking unit   established by this section.          (b)  A human trafficking unit is created within the   department to investigate and combat human trafficking.          (c)  The unit shall collaborate with federal and local law   enforcement agencies and the office of the attorney general's human   trafficking prevention task force and transnational and organized   crime division, as applicable, to investigate human trafficking and   arrest persons determined to have engaged in human trafficking.          (d)  The department, in consultation with the office of the   attorney general, shall develop and provide specialized training   for peace officers assigned to the unit.          (e)  The unit may implement a public outreach campaign to   combat human trafficking and may accept gifts, grants, or donations   or work with a nonprofit organization for purposes of implementing   the campaign.          (f)  If the unit implements a campaign under Subsection (e),   the unit shall collaborate with local law enforcement agencies,   school districts, and faith-based organizations and places of   worship to educate persons younger than 18 years of age concerning   the dangers associated with human trafficking.          (g)  The legislature may appropriate funds to the department   from the fugitive apprehension account for purposes of implementing   this section.          (h)  The department shall develop guidelines and protocols   designed to minimize intrusion on a person who has an encounter with   a peace officer performing a duty of the unit under this section.          (i)  The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement   this section.          SECTION 2.  Not later than September 1, 2018, the Department   of Public Safety of the State of Texas shall establish the human   trafficking unit under Section 411.02096, Government Code, as added   by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.