88R16528 TYPED     By: Thompson of Harris H.B. No. 3772       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to combating human trafficking by the Texas Department of   Licensing and Regulation.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter K, and a heading is added to that subchapter to   read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER K. COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING          SECTION 2.  Subchapter K, Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is   amended by adding Sections 51.551, 51.552, and 51.553 to read as   follows:          Sec. 51.551.  ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES. The department   is authorized to combat human trafficking by:                (1)  establishing within the department an   anti-trafficking unit;                (2)  identifying businesses operating within   industries regulated by the department that are impacted by human   trafficking; and                (3)  coordinating with:                      (A)  the office of the attorney general, including   any council, task force, or work group established by that office to   combat human trafficking;                      (B)  local, state, and federal law enforcement   agencies; and                (C)  any nongovernmental entity engaged in efforts to   combat human trafficking or assist victims.          Sec. 51.552.  RULES. The commission may adopt rules to   combat human trafficking for any program regulated by the   department, including rules for conducting inspections and   investigations under Section 51.351.          Sec. 51.553.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS IDENTIFYING   VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. (a) Information that identifies an   individual as a victim of human trafficking is confidential and   excepted from disclosure under Section 552.021, Government Code.          (b)  The department may withhold information under   Subsection (a) without the necessity of requesting a decision from   the attorney general under Subchapter G, Chapter 552, Government   Code.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2023.