Texas Government Code 402.035 outlines the members of the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force. Task Force members are divided into the below categories:
Statutory Members
- the Governor or the Governor's Designee;
- the Attorney General or the Attorney General's Designee;
- the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission or the Executive Commissioner's Designee;
- the Commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services or the Commissioner's Designee;
- the Commissioner of the Department of State Health Services or the Commissioner's Designee;
- the Public Safety Director of the Department of Public Safety or the Director's Designee;
- one representative from each of the following state agencies, appointed by the Chief Administrative Officer of the respective agency:
- the Texas Workforce Commission;
- the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
- the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
- the Texas Education Agency;
- the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission;
- the Parks and Wildlife Department;
- the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families;
- the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation;
- the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System;
- the Office of the Secretary of State; and
- the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
Appointed Members
- a Chief Public Defender employed by a Public Defender's Office, as defined by Article 26.044(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, or an attorney designated by the Chief Public Defender;
- an attorney representing the state;
- a representative of:
- a Hotel and Motel Association;
- a District and County Attorneys Association;
- a State Police Association; and
- a Statewide Medical Association;
- Representatives of Sheriff's Departments;
- Representatives of local law enforcement agencies affected by human trafficking;
Nongovernmental Organizations Appointed Members
- (F) representatives of nongovernmental entities making comprehensive efforts to combat human trafficking by:
- identifying human trafficking victims;
- providing legal or other services to human trafficking victims;
- participating in community outreach or public awareness efforts regarding human trafficking;
- providing or developing training regarding the prevention of human trafficking; or
- engaging in other activities designed to prevent human trafficking.
Collaborative Members
- United States Attorneys' Offices for all of the Federal Districts of Texas; and
- Special Agents or Customs and Border Protection Officers and Border Patrol Agents of:
- the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
- the United States Drug Enforcement Administration;
- the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
- United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement; or
- the United States Department of Homeland Security;
Affiliate Members
We invite every entity working on trafficking issues across the state to be an affiliate member. Affiliates will receive our newsletter and will be invited to regional and informational meetings and trainings. Affiliates will have the option of joining and serving on working groups.
Working Groups
Within the Task Force, we have five working groups: Partner, Prevent, Protect, Prosecute, and Provide Support. We encourage Task Force and Affiliate Members to volunteer for these groups. Each working group will set tasks and goals for the year and meet periodically to collaborate.
If you would like to join the Texas Human Trafficking Task Force, please email us at [email protected]