Relating to human trafficking prevention, including training for medical assistants, disclosure of human trafficking information by certain health care facilities, and protection for facility employees who report human trafficking.

Health workers gain protections and training duties

The Texas law takes effect September 1, 2025. Covered health care facilities cannot discipline, retaliate against, or discriminate against employees for good-faith reports of suspected human trafficking. Protected reports can go to the facility, law enforcement, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, the attorney general, or another appropriate authority. Medical assistants working under physician supervision must complete approved training on identifying, helping, and reporting trafficking victims. State rules set the completion deadline. The Health and Human Services Commission must approve courses, list them online, update the list, and adopt rules. At least one course must be free; facility-run courses can qualify for approval. Facilities must also post attorney-general-designed signs where all employees can see them. Signs must be at least 11 by 17 inches, with at least 16-point type. Separate versions are required in English, Spanish, and each other primary language spoken by at least 10 percent of employees. Signs must explain training requirements for health care practitioners and medical assistants, employee protections, trafficking indicators, and recognition and reporting steps. They must include an attorney-general-designated reporting number and Department of Public Safety contact information. The attorney general must design the sign as soon as practicable after the effective date.