Bill Text: TX HB451 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Relating to a screening for the risk of commercial sexual exploitation of certain children.

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-3)

Status: (Passed) 2025-05-29 - Effective on 9/1/25 [HB451 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB451-Enrolled.html

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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