A juvenile board may create a trafficked persons program. If a program is created, it must allow certain services and referrals when applicable and require participating children to appear in court periodically.
Sec. 152.0017. TRAFFICKED PERSONS PROGRAM. (a) A juvenile board may establish a trafficked persons program under this section for the assistance, treatment, and rehabilitation of children who: (1) are alleged to have engaged in or adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision; (2) may be victims of an offense of trafficking of persons as defined by Article 56B.003, Code of Criminal Procedure; and (3) have been referred to the program by the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit established under Section 772.0062, Government Code, or the governor's program for victims of child sex trafficking established under Section 772.0063, Government Code. (b) A program established under this section must: (1) if applicable, allow for the integration of services available to a child pursuant to proceedings under Title 3, Family Code, and Subtitle E, Title 5, Family Code; (2) if applicable, allow for the referral to a facility that can address issues associated with human trafficking; and (3) require a child participating in the program to periodically appear in court for monitoring and compliance purposes. (c) A facility qualified to provide one or more services under this section may apply for a grant under Section 50.0155, Health and Safety Code, only for the purposes of providing constitutionally secure shelter and research-based treatment services to human trafficking victims. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 186 (S.B. 92), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2013. Redesignated from Human Resources Code, Section 152.0016 by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1236 (S.B. 1296), Sec. 21.001(36), eff. September 1, 2015. Amended by: Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 704 (H.B. 2633), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2021. SUBCHAPTER B. CREATION OF JUVENILE BOARD IN CERTAIN COUNTIES