TDLR Helps Fight Human Trafficking In Its Regulated Professions
AUSTIN – Several of the regulated programs for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation can have a nexus with potential human trafficking, and TDLR employees and licensees work to identify and eliminate human trafficking in those programs.
Human trafficking occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Force, fraud, or coercion need not be present if the individual engaging in commercial sex is under 18 years of age.
Because TDLR regulates massage therapists, massage establishments, cosmetologists and nail salons, and many professions where labor trafficking may be present, TDLR employees and licensees can be the first ally in contact with potential human trafficking victims.
TDLR conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of massage establishments and cosmetology salons and aggressively pursues administrative penalties for both licensed and unlicensed service providers found to allow sexual activity on business premises.
Before they can renew their licenses, many TDLR licensees are required to complete an approved human trafficking prevention training course on how to spot human trafficking:
More than 83,000 health professions practitioners including massage therapists, athletic trainers, audiologists, behavior analysts, dietitians, dyslexia therapists, hearing instrument fitters and dispensers, midwives, orthotists, prosthetists, podiatrists and speech-language pathologists
Starting in 2025, more than 30,000 barbers will be required to complete the continuing education courses.
All TDLR employees receive training on how to recognize and respond to human trafficking situations. Agency employees work with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as non-governmental agencies, to investigate suspected illicit massage businesses and possible human trafficking at nail salons.
In fiscal year 2023, TDLR revoked 58 massage therapy licensees due to prostitution or sexual activity-related activities occurring at massage establishments.
HB 3579, passed in the 88th Legislature Regular Session, allows TDLR’s executive director to issue an emergency order halting the operation of any massage establishment if law enforcement or TDLR believes human trafficking is occurring at the establishment. The law went into effect Sept. 1, 2023, and the agency expects to issue the first order under the law shortly.
During Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January, TDLR employees will participate in several activities:
On Human Trafficking Awareness Day (Thursday, Jan. 11), employees will wear blue clothing as part of the BLUE Campaign and post selfies and team pictures to social media channels using the hashtag #TDLRBlue.
Later in the month, staff will receive additional training on human trafficking red flags and situations, including where minors are involved.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring can contact the National Hotline for Human Trafficking at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). If the situation is an emergency or you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911 and alert the authorities.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking in a TDLR-regulated business can also file a complaint with TDLR.