Texas legislation · 89th Legislature Regular Session
Texas SB1278: Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
Status: Vetoed, June 22, 2025
What the bill says
An act relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
From the enrolled text, May 25, 2025:
AN ACT relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for 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. ][ADDED: ][ADDED: (a) ][ADDED: ][ADDED: It is an affirmative defense to prosecution that ] [ADDED: the actor was a victim of an offense under Section 20A.02 or 43.05 ] [ADDED: who engaged in the conduct charged because the person who had ] [ADDED: committed the offense of which the actor was a victim:] [] [ or] [ADDED: (3)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: threatened the actor or a member of the actor's ] [ADDED: family or household with imminent death or serious bodily injury.] [ADDED: (b) Subsection (a) does not apply if:] [ADDED: (1)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: the coercion, duress, or threat would not cause a ] [ or] [ADDED: (2)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: the actor was merely provided an opportunity to ] [ADDED: engage in the conduct.] [ADDED: (c)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: Information relevant to the identification of a ] [ADDED: defendant's status as a victim of an offense described by ] [ADDED: Subsection (a) may be offered to establish an affirmative defense ] [ADDED: under …
Sponsors
- Tan Parker (R) · primary sponsor
- Cesar Blanco (D, SD-029)
- Senfronia Thompson (D, HD-141)
- Ann Johnson (D, HD-134)
- John Smithee (R, HD-086)
Latest actions
- : Vetoed by the Governor
- : Sent to the Governor
- : Signed in the House
- : Signed in the Senate
- : Reported enrolled
- : House passage reported
- : Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- : Record vote (RV#3356)
- : Passed
- : Read 3rd time
Votes
- Criminal Justice Committee Vote (Out of committee): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Vote (Out of committee): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Record vote RV#4050 (May 23, 2025): 110 yea, 25 nay, passed
- Record vote RV#3356 (May 23, 2025): 140 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Record vote RV#3832 (May 22, 2025): 141 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Record vote RV#3281 (May 22, 2025): 142 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Criminal Procedure--Defense Counsel, Family--Family Violence, Criminal Procedure--General, CRIME VICTIMS, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, PROSTITUTION
Common questions
- What is SB1278?
- SB1278 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature Regular Session): Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
- What does SB1278 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
- What is the status of SB1278?
- Vetoed as of June 22, 2025. Latest action: Vetoed by the Governor (June 22, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB1278?
- Tan Parker (R), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB1278?
- On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB01278
Source: official Texas record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.