All Roll Calls
Yes: 334 • No: 32
TexasSB 1189th Legislature 2nd Called SessionSenate
Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
Sponsored By: Carol Alvarado (Democratic), Paul Bettencourt (Republican), César Blanco (Democratic), Donna Campbell (Republican), David Cook, Creighton, Lulu Flores, Brent Hagenbuch (Republican), Bob Hall (Republican), Adam Hinojosa (Republican), Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (Democratic), Joan Huffman (Republican), Bryan Hughes (Republican), Ken King, Lois Kolkhorst (Republican), José Menéndez (Democratic), Mayes Middleton (Republican), Tan Parker (Republican), Angela Paxton (Republican), Charles Perry (Republican), Charles Schwertner (Republican), Kevin Sparks (Republican), Royce West (Democratic), Judith Zaffirini (Democratic)
Became Law
Crimes--Against MoralsCrimes--Against Persons--GeneralCrimes--Against Persons--SexualCriminal Procedure--Defense CounselCriminal Procedure--GeneralCRIME VICTIMSHUMAN TRAFFICKINGPROSTITUTION
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New legal defense for trafficking victims
The law creates an affirmative defense for people who were victims of human trafficking or compelling prostitution. You must show force, fraud, or coercion caused the charged act. You must show you would not have done it but for that coercion. A reasonable person in your situation would have been compelled to do it. You were not merely given a chance to commit the act without coercion. The defense does not apply to serious offenses listed in Article 42A.054(a), unless you are charged only as a party. You can offer evidence that you were a victim. You do not have to prove the trafficker was charged or convicted.
When the new defense applies
The defense is available only for offenses committed on or after the law’s start date. An offense counts as earlier if any element happened before that date. The law takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Carol Alvarado
Democratic • Senate
Paul Bettencourt
Republican • Senate
César Blanco
Democratic • Senate
Donna Campbell
Republican • Senate
David Cook
House
Creighton
Affiliation unavailable
Lulu Flores
House
Brent Hagenbuch
Republican • Senate
Bob Hall
Republican • Senate
Adam Hinojosa
Republican • Senate
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Democratic • Senate
Joan Huffman
Republican • Senate
Bryan Hughes
Republican • Senate
Ken King
House
Lois Kolkhorst
Republican • Senate
José Menéndez
Democratic • Senate
Mayes Middleton
Republican • Senate
Tan Parker
Republican • Senate
Angela Paxton
Republican • Senate
Charles Perry
Republican • Senate
Charles Schwertner
Republican • Senate
Kevin Sparks
Republican • Senate
Royce West
Democratic • Senate
Judith Zaffirini
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Daniel Alders
House
Benjamin Bumgarner
House
Briscoe Cain
House
Paul Dyson
House
Stan Gerdes
House
Caroline Harris Davila
House
Richard Hayes
House
Janis Holt
House
Andy Hopper
House
Helen Kerwin
House
Marc LaHood
House
Terri Leo Wilson
House
Janie Lopez
House
AJ Louderback
House
Shelley Luther
House
Don McLaughlin
House
John McQueeney
House
Matt Morgan
House
Tom Oliverson
House
Katrina Pierson
House
Mihaela Plesa
House
Keresa Richardson
House
Nate Schatzline
House
Alan Schoolcraft
House
Valoree Swanson
House
Steve Toth
House
Denise Villalobos
House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 8/26/2025
Record vote
Yes: 137 • No: 1
House vote • 8/26/2025
Record vote
Yes: 137 • No: 1
Senate vote • 8/18/2025
Record vote
Yes: 30 • No: 0
Senate vote • 8/18/2025
Record vote
Yes: 30 • No: 0
Senate vote • 8/15/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 30
Actions Timeline
Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (December 4, 2025)
9/17/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
9/17/2025HouseSent to the Governor
8/28/2025HouseSigned in the House
8/28/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
8/27/2025SenateReported enrolled
8/26/2025SenateHouse passage reported
8/26/2025SenateReason for vote recorded in Journal
8/26/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
8/26/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#83)
8/26/2025HousePassed
8/26/2025HouseRead 3rd time
8/26/2025HouseAdditional sponsor(s) authorized
8/26/2025HouseRules suspended
8/26/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
8/26/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#71)
8/26/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading
8/26/2025HouseRead 2nd time
8/26/2025HousePlaced on General State Calendar
8/26/2025HouseConsidered in Calendars
8/25/2025HouseCorrected committee report sent to Calendars
8/25/2025HouseCorrected comm. report distributed
8/24/2025HouseCorrected com rept filed w/ Comte Coordinator
8/24/2025HouseCommittee report sent to Calendars
8/24/2025HouseCommittee report distributed
8/22/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
Related Bills
HB 23 — Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of property owned by certain nonprofit corporations, located in a populous county, and used to promote agriculture, support youth, and provide educational support in the community.
SB 8 — Relating to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex; authorizing a civil penalty and a private civil right of action.
SB 5 — Relating to making supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and preparedness and giving direction and adjustment authority regarding those appropriations.
HB 16 — Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government, including court security, court documents and arrest warrants, document delivery, juvenile boards, constitutional amendment election challenges, record retention, youth diversion, court-ordered mental health services, the powers of the Texas Supreme Court, jurors, and the special prosecution unit; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing fees.
HB 8 — Relating to public school accountability and transparency, including the implementation of an instructionally supportive assessment program and the adoption and administration of assessment instruments in public schools, indicators of achievement, public school performance ratings, and interventions and sanctions under the public school accountability system, a grant program for school district local accountability plans, and actions challenging Texas Education Agency decisions related to public school accountability.
SB 16 — Relating to real property theft and real property fraud; establishing recording requirements for certain documents concerning real property; creating the criminal offenses of real property theft and real property fraud and establishing a statute of limitations, restitution, and certain procedures with respect to those offenses.