Starting September 1, Texas will implement some of the toughest anti-human trafficking laws in the nation. Under new legislation signed by Governor Greg Abbott earlier this month, convicted traffickers could face up to 99 years in prison, with no possibility of parole in certain cases.
Governor Abbott signed House Bill 2306 and Senate Bill 1212 into law during a ceremony held at the Governor’s Mansion. The event included lawmakers, survivors, and anti-trafficking advocates. “We want to ensure that we do all we can so that human traffickers never walk the streets of Texas again,” Abbott stated.
Senate Bill 1212 reclassifies human trafficking as a first-degree felony, raising the punishment range from a previous maximum of 20 years to a potential life sentence of up to 99 years. House Bill 2306 ensures that individuals convicted of trafficking children or disabled persons will be ineligible for parole. Abbott noted this clause is intended to make certain “the worst of the worst” serve their full sentences behind bars.
The legislation reflects growing bipartisan momentum in Texas to combat human trafficking through harsher sentencing and greater survivor support. The Governor was joined at the signing by First Lady Cecilia Abbott, multiple state legislators, and leaders from anti-trafficking organizations.
Jacquelyn Aluotto, co-founder of No Trafficking Zone, praised the sweeping nature of the new laws. “First it was school zones, then foster care and juvenile detentions, universities, community centers,” she said. “This legislative session, we said it’s time to make all of Texas a no-trafficking zone.”
Texas has consistently led national efforts to fight trafficking, and the new laws represent a significant escalation in the state’s legal arsenal against traffickers.
