PURPOSE

The purpose of the trafficked persons program account is to provide money: (1) to substantiate this state's interest in publicly operated and funded shelter and treatment for victims of an offense of trafficking of persons as defined by Article 56B.003, Code of Criminal Procedure; (2) to prevent the recruitment of human trafficking victims within mixed-status child, youth, and young adult shelters; (3) for consistent and recurring funding of long-term solutions for providing research-based treatment and safe and secure shelter to child, youth, and young adult victims of human trafficking; (4) for financial stability of local governments, private partners, and medical facilities in planning, building, and maintaining dedicated housing and recovery programs for victims of human trafficking; and (5) to raise awareness of the account among businesses and philanthropists in this state and to strengthen public and private partnerships established to end the practice of human trafficking.