Texas legislation · 89th Legislature 2nd Special Session
Texas HB236: Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
Status: In committee, August 20, 2025
What the bill says
An act relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
From the introduced text, August 18, 2025:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 8, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 8.09 to read as follows: [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 8.09.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING OR COMPELLING ] [ADDED: PROSTITUTION. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), it is an ] [ADDED: affirmative defense to prosecution that the actor:] [ADDED: (1)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: was a victim of an offense under Section 20A.02 or ] [ and] [ADDED: (2)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: engaged in the conduct that is the subject of the ] [ADDED: prosecution as a direct result of being caused, through means of ] [ADDED: force, fraud, or coercion as described by Subsection (c), to engage ] [ADDED: in that specific conduct.] [ADDED: (b) Subsection (a) applies only if:] [ADDED: (1)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: the actor would not have engaged in the conduct ] [ADDED: that is the subject of the prosecution but for the use of force, ] [] [ADDED: (2)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: the use of force, fraud, or coercion would have ] [ADDED: compelled a reasonable person in the actor's circumstances to ] [] [ADDED: (3)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: the actor was not merely afforded …
Sponsors
- Richard Hayes (R, HD-057) · primary sponsor
- Janis Holt (R, HD-018)
- AJ Louderback (R, HD-030)
- Ben Bumgarner (R, HD-063)
- Gary Gates (R, HD-028)
- Daniel Alders (R, HD-006)
- Keith Bell (R, HD-004)
- Brad Buckley (R, HD-054)
- Briscoe Cain (R, HD-128)
- David Cook (R, HD-096)
- Charles Cunningham (R, HD-127)
- Pat Curry (R, HD-056)
Latest actions
- : Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
- : Read first time
- : Filed
Subjects: Criminal Procedure--Defense Counsel, Crimes--Against Persons--General, Crimes--Against Persons--Sexual, Criminal Procedure--General, CRIME VICTIMS, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, PROSTITUTION, Crimes--Against Morals
Common questions
- What is HB236?
- HB236 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature 2nd Special Session): Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
- What does HB236 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
- What is the status of HB236?
- In committee as of August 20, 2025. Latest action: Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence (August 20, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB236?
- Richard Hayes (R, HD-057), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB236?
- On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=892&Bill=HB00236
Source: official Texas record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.