H.B. No. 451 AN ACT relating to a screening for the risk of commercial sexual exploitation of certain children. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 266.012(a), Family Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) Not later than the 45th day after the date a child enters the conservatorship of the department, the child shall receive: (1) a developmentally appropriate comprehensive assessment that includes [. The assessment must include]: (A) [(1)] a screening for trauma; and (B) [(2)] interviews with individuals who have knowledge of the child's needs; and (2) a screening for risk of commercial sexual exploitation using a validated, evidenced-informed tool selected by the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit established under Section 772.0062, Government Code, if: (A) validation guidelines based on the child's age indicate the screening is appropriate; or (B) concerns of commercial sexual exploitation exist. SECTION 2. Section 221.003(b), Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A juvenile probation department must, before the disposition of a child's case and using a validated risk and needs assessment instrument or process provided or approved by the department, complete a risk and needs assessment for each child under the jurisdiction of the juvenile probation department. The risk and needs assessment must include a screening for risk of commercial sexual exploitation using a validated, evidence-informed tool selected by the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit established under Section 772.0062, Government Code. SECTION 3. The Department of Family and Protective Services is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money to the department specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the department may, but is not required to, implement a provision of this Act using other money available for that purpose. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 451 was passed by the House on April 16, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. No. 451 on May 19, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 129, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 451 was passed by the Senate, with amendments, on May 12, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________ Date __________________ Governor