Texas HB252: Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.

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 19, 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

• David Cook (R, HD-096) · primary sponsor
• Ellen Troxclair (R, HD-019)
• Richard Hayes (R, HD-057)
• Carrie Isaac (R, HD-073)
• Pat Curry (R, HD-056)
• Daniel Alders (R, HD-006)
• Ben Bumgarner (R, HD-063)
• Briscoe Cain (R, HD-128)
• Paul Dyson (R, HD-014)
• Stan Gerdes (R, HD-017)
• Caroline Harris Davila (R, HD-052)
• Janis Holt (R, HD-018)

Latest actions

1. August 19, 2025: Filed

Common questions

What is HB252?

HB252 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 HB252 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 HB252?

Introduced as of August 19, 2025. Latest action: Filed (August 19, 2025).

Who sponsored HB252?

David Cook (R, HD-096), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB252?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=892&Bill=HB00252