Helen Kerwin, Texas State Representative of the 58th district (R) | https://x.com/HelenKerwin4TX
Helen Kerwin, Texas State Representative of the 58th district (R) | https://x.com/HelenKerwin4TX
More specifically, the official text was summarized by the state legislature as ’’Relating to the prosecution and punishment for the offense of trafficking of persons; increasing a criminal penalty’’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
This bill amends the Texas Penal Code to increase penalties for human trafficking offenses, particularly those involving children or disabled individuals. It specifies that knowingly trafficking a person for forced labor or engaging in sexual exploitation are offenses punishable as a first-degree felony. If such trafficking occurs within 1,000 feet of schools, juvenile facilities, shelters, or similar venues, the offense is punishable by life imprisonment or a term of 25 to 99 years. The bill also details conditions under which additional trial procedures apply for defendants charged with trafficking-related offenses against children or disabled individuals. It further clarifies that these legal changes apply only to offenses committed on or after Sept. 1, 2025.
Helen Kerwin, member of the House Committee on Public Education, proposed another 10 bills during the 89(R) legislative session.
Helen Kerwin is currently serving in the Texas State House, representing the state's 58th House district. She replaced previous state representative DeWayne Burns in 2025.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB 5478 | 04/07/2025 | Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of property owned by an organization engaged primarily in performing charitable functions |
| HB 5332 | 04/07/2025 | Relating to the issuance of excess axle or gross weight permits |
| HB 5022 | 04/03/2025 | Relating to the prohibition of immunization with a product containing mRNA material |
| HB 4648 | 04/03/2025 | Relating to the repeal of ad valorem taxes and certain state and local taxes, the enactment of a uniform state sales tax, and related school and local government finance reform; increasing the rate of a tax |
| HB 3590 | 03/25/2025 | Relating to the conduct of early voting by certain political subdivisions |
| HB 3049 | 03/20/2025 | Relating to the designation of animal control officers as first responders |
| HB 2991 | 03/20/2025 | Relating to the donation of blood by persons younger than 18 years of age; authorizing a civil penalty |
| HB 2743 | 03/18/2025 | Relating to the dedication of certain surplus state revenue for ad valorem tax relief |
| HB 2220 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the repeal of or limitations on certain state and local taxes, including school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes, the enactment of state and local value added taxes, and related school finance reform; imposing taxes |
| HB 1674 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the production, sale, and use of certain agricultural products containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); creating a criminal offense |
Alerts Sign-up