House clears bill creating affirmative defense for trafficking victims forced to commit crimes
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Summary
Senate Bill 11 creates a statutory affirmative defense for people who committed certain offenses as a direct result of human trafficking or compelling prostitution, excluding major violent felonies; the measure passed the House 137–1 after sponsors said it narrows an earlier, vetoed bill.
The Texas House passed Senate Bill 11, which creates an affirmative defense for victims of trafficking or compelling prostitution who commit certain offenses as a direct result of fraud, force, or coercion. The bill passed on final passage with 137 yeas and 1 nay.
What the bill does
SB 11 establishes that individuals who engaged in illegal conduct because they were coerced or trafficked may assert an affirmative defense in prosecution. Sponsors said the language is narrower than a prior bill that had been vetoed by the governor; SB 11 excludes more serious, violent offenses from the defense (sponsors enumerated categories such as murder, kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault) while still protecting people who were not primary perpetrators.
Sponsor remarks
Rep. Tom Oliverson (floor sponsor noted in committee hearing) and others argued the law avoids punishing victims for crimes they were forced to commit while preserving accountability for violent primary offenders. One sponsor described SB 11 as balancing compassion for victims with public‑safety protections.
Vote and next steps
- Final House vote: 137 ayes, 1 nay. SB 11 passed third reading and will proceed to enrolment and the governor.
Ending
If enacted, the law creates a court‑tested affirmative defense mechanism in Texas criminal law for people who committed crimes under coercion or trafficking; statutes exclude serious violent felonies from eligibility under the defense.