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Bill

SB 957

Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of continuous aggravated promotion of prostitution.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Brent Hagenbuch and 1 co-sponsor

Texas bill establishing new crime of continuous aggravated promotion of prostitution to target organized sex trafficking and exploitation operations.

Left pending in committee
#courts--juries(i0145) #crimes--againstpersons--sexual(i0171) #criminalprocedure--general(i0208) #prostitution(s0016)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 957

Legislative bill overview

SB 957 would create a new criminal offense in Texas for "continuous aggravated promotion of prostitution," establishing enhanced penalties for repeated or systematic involvement in facilitating sex work. The bill appears designed to target organized prostitution operations and trafficking networks through a specific charge focused on persistent conduct rather than isolated incidents.

Why is this important

This legislation reflects ongoing efforts to criminalize sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation by creating offense categories targeting organizers and profiteers rather than only individual transactions. The outcome affects how Texas law enforcement prosecutes complex cases involving networks of exploitation and influences sentencing frameworks for serious offenses.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition clarity: The bill's language around "continuous" and "aggravated" promotion may be ambiguous, potentially creating enforcement inconsistencies or unintended consequences for borderline cases
  • Sex worker advocacy concerns: Criminal justice reform and sex worker rights groups often oppose expansions of prostitution-related charges, arguing they criminalize survival and don't effectively address trafficking while endangering vulnerable populations
  • Prosecutorial burden: Creating new offense categories requires clear statutory language; vague definitions could lead to constitutional challenges or difficulties meeting burden of proof standards

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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