Texas Requires Human Trafficking Prevention Training for Medical Workers

Texas has enacted legislation (House Bill 742), which requires first responders to receive human trafficking prevention training. Texas has also enacted legislation (House Bill 754), which adds the same training requirement for medical assistants. The bills take effect Sept. 1, 2025.

The Details

Training

Under the laws, the following groups must receive training (a course approved by the Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on identifying, assisting and reporting victims of human trafficking:

• First Responders:
  
  
• Medical Assistants: An individual who, under the supervision of a physician, assists with patient care management, executes administrative duties and performs certain clinical procedures. See the text of the law for further details.
  

Poster Requirements

Emergency departments of hospitals, covered facilities, and freestanding emergency medical care facilities must display a sign that is at least 11 inches by 17 inches and written in at least a 16-point font (in the form prescribed by the attorney general).

The signs must:

• Include the following statements:
  
• List the following:
  
• Be posted:
  

Nonretaliation

Under the laws, covered employers cannot discipline, retaliate against or otherwise discriminate against a covered worker who, in good faith, reports a suspected act of human trafficking to:

• The facility or hospital;
• A law enforcement agency;
• The National Human Trafficking Resource Center;
• The attorney general; or
• Another appropriate authority.
  

Next steps

• Review and update workplace safety and training policies and procedures, and train supervisors on the requirements under the laws by Sept.  1, 2025.
• Monitor the HHSC website for posters and approved training courses.