Texas Codes

Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02 (2026)

Trafficking Of Persons

✓ current as of May 2026

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Sec. 20A.02. TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly:

(1) traffics another person with the intent that the trafficked person engage in forced labor or services;

(2) receives a benefit from participating in a venture that involves an activity described by Subdivision (1), including by receiving labor or services the person knows are forced labor or services;

(3) traffics another person and, through force, fraud, or coercion, causes the trafficked person to engage in conduct prohibited by:

(A) Section 43.02 (Prostitution);

(B) Section 43.03 (Promotion of Prostitution);

(B-1) Section 43.031 (Online Promotion of Prostitution);

(C-1) Section 43.041 (Aggravated Online Promotion of Prostitution); or

(D) Section 43.05 (Compelling Prostitution);

(4) receives a benefit from participating in a venture that involves an activity described by Subdivision (3) or engages in sexual conduct with a person trafficked in the manner described in Subdivision (3);

(5) traffics a child or disabled individual with the intent that the trafficked child or disabled individual engage in forced labor or services, regardless of whether the person knows the age of the child or whether the person knows the victim is disabled;

(6) receives a benefit from participating in a venture that involves an activity described by Subdivision (5), including by receiving labor or services the person knows are forced labor or services, regardless of whether the person knows the age of the child or whether the person knows the victim is disabled;

(7) traffics a child or disabled individual, regardless of whether the person knows the age of the child or whether the person knows the victim is disabled, and by any means causes the trafficked child or disabled individual to engage in, or become the victim of, conduct prohibited by:

(A) Section 21.02 (Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Child or Disabled Individual);

(B) Section 21.11 (Indecency with a Child);

(D) Section 22.021 (Aggravated Sexual Assault);

(E) Section 43.02 (Prostitution);

(E-1) Section 43.021 (Solicitation of Prostitution);

(F) Section 43.03 (Promotion of Prostitution);

(F-1) Section 43.031 (Online Promotion of Prostitution);

(G) Section 43.04 (Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution);

(G-1) Section 43.041 (Aggravated Online Promotion of Prostitution);

(H) Section 43.05 (Compelling Prostitution);

(I) Section 43.25 (Sexual Performance by a Child);

(J) Section 43.251 (Employment Harmful to Children); or

(K) Section 43.26 (Possession or Promotion of Child Pornography); or

(8) receives a benefit from participating in a venture that involves an activity described by Subdivision (7) or engages in sexual conduct with a child or disabled individual trafficked in the manner described in Subdivision (7), regardless of whether the person knows the age of the child or whether the person knows the victim is disabled.

(a-1) Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 807 (H.B. 1540), Sec. 62(5) and Ch. 905 (H.B. 3521), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2021.

Text of subsection as reenacted and amended by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 788 (S.B. 955), Sec. 1

(b) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection and Subsection (b-1), an offense under this section is a felony of the second degree. An offense under this section is a felony of the first degree if:

(1) the applicable conduct constitutes an offense under Subsection (a)(5), (6), (7), or (8), regardless of whether the actor knows the age of the child or whether the actor knows the victim is disabled at the time of the offense;

(2) the commission of the offense results in serious bodily injury to or the death of the person who is trafficked;

(3) the commission of the offense results in the death of an unborn child of the person who is trafficked; or

(4) the actor:

(A) used or exhibited a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense;

(B) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly impeded the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the trafficked person by applying pressure to the person's throat or neck or by blocking the person's nose or mouth;

(C) subject to Subsection (b-1), recruited, enticed, or obtained the trafficked person from a shelter or facility operating as a residential treatment center that serves runaway youth, foster children, the homeless, or persons subjected to human trafficking, domestic violence, or sexual assault; or

(D) subject to Subsection (b-1), recruited, enticed, or obtained the trafficked person from a correctional facility while the trafficked person was confined in the facility.

Text of subsection as reenacted and amended by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 806 (S.B. 1212), Sec. 2, and Ch. 250 (H.B. 1778), Sec. 1.11

(b) Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (b-1), an offense under this section is a felony of the first degree.

Text of subsection as reenacted and amended by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 788 (S.B. 955), Sec. 2

(b-1) An offense under this section is a felony of the first degree punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life or for a term of not more than 99 years or less than 25 years if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the actor committed the offense in a location that was:

(1) on the premises of or within 1,000 feet of the premises of:

(A) a school;

(B) an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;

(D) a post-adjudication secure correctional facility;

(E) a shelter or facility operating as a residential treatment center that serves runaway youth, foster children, people who are homeless, or persons subjected to human trafficking, domestic violence, or sexual assault;

(F) a community center offering youth services and programs;

(G) a child-care facility, as defined by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code; or

(H) a correctional facility; or

(2) on the premises where or within 1,000 feet of the premises where:

(A) an official school function was taking place; or

(B) an event sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League was taking place.

Text of subsection as reenacted and amended by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 806 (S.B. 1212), Sec. 3, and Ch. 250 (H.B. 1778), Sec. 1.12

(1) on the premises of or within 1,000 feet of the premises of:

(A) a school or a school bus stop or other area designated by a school as a pick-up or drop-off zone for students;

(B) an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;

(D) a post-adjudication secure correctional facility;

(F) a community center offering youth services and programs; or

(G) a child-care facility, as defined by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code;

(2) on the premises where or within 1,000 feet of the premises where:

(A) an official school function was taking place; or

(B) an event sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League was taking place; or

(3) in a school bus or other passenger transportation vehicle of a school.

(c) If conduct constituting an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the actor may be prosecuted under either section or under both sections.

(d) If the victim of an offense under Subsection (a)(7)(A) is the same victim as a victim of an offense under Section 21.02, a defendant may not be convicted of the offense under Section 21.02 in the same criminal action as the offense under Subsection (a)(7)(A) unless the offense under Section 21.02:

(1) is charged in the alternative;

(2) occurred outside the period in which the offense alleged under Subsection (a)(7)(A) was committed; or

(3) is considered by the trier of fact to be a lesser included offense of the offense alleged under Subsection (a)(7)(A).

(e) This subsection applies only to a prosecution for an offense under Subsection (a)(7) or (8), in which the actor is alleged to have caused a trafficked child or disabled individual to engage in or become the victim of prostitution, as defined by Section 43.01. It is not a defense to a prosecution described by this subsection that the trafficked child or disabled individual:

(1) lacks the culpable mental state to engage in the act of prostitution; or

(2) did not complete the act of prostitution.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 641, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 258 (S.B. 11), Sec. 16.02, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 849 (H.B. 1121), Sec. 5, eff. June 15, 2007.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1002 (H.B. 4009), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 24), Sec. 1.02, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 480 (H.B. 2529), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 685 (H.B. 29), Sec. 30, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 858 (H.B. 2552), Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1038 (H.B. 1808), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 273 (S.B. 1802), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2019.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 413 (S.B. 20), Sec. 3.11, eff. September 1, 2019.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 221 (H.B. 375), Sec. 2.26, eff. September 1, 2021.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 807 (H.B. 1540), Sec. 22, eff. September 1, 2021.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 807 (H.B. 1540), Sec. 62(5), eff. September 1, 2021.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 905 (H.B. 3521), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2021.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1049 (S.B. 1831), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2021.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 93 (S.B. 1527), Sec. 2.02, eff. September 1, 2023.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 451 (H.B. 3553), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 452 (H.B. 3554), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 250 (H.B. 1778), Sec. 1.10, eff. September 1, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 250 (H.B. 1778), Sec. 1.11, eff. September 1, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 250 (H.B. 1778), Sec. 1.12, eff. September 1, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 602 (H.B. 2761), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 788 (S.B. 955), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 788 (S.B. 955), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 806 (S.B. 1212), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 806 (S.B. 1212), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 806 (S.B. 1212), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2025.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 76 cases (46 in the last 5 years), 2006–2026 · leading case: Ritz v. State, 533 S.W.3d 302 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017).

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Ritz v. State, 533 S.W.3d 302 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017). · cites it 11× “03 (“Continuous Trafficking of Persons”); see also Tex Penal Code § 20A.02 ("Trafficking of Persons”).”

Bobby Moreno v. State, 413 S.W.3d 119 (Tex. App. 2013). · cites it 4× “Laws 392 (amended 2009, 2011) (current version at Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 20A.02(a) (West Supp.”

In Re Shaw, 204 S.W.3d 9 (Tex. App. 2006). “07 (Violation of Protective Order or Magistrate’s Order), 32.51 (Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information), 42.”

Gertsenshteyn v. United States Dep't of Just., 544 F.3d 137 (2d Cir. 2008). “Penal Code § 266j (criminalizing the intentional transportation of a child under the age of sixteen for the purpose of any lewd or lascivious conduct); Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02 (prohibiting the knowing trafficking of a person with the intent or knowledge that the trafficked…”

Lange v. California, 594 U.S. 295 (2021). “§3– 1102(c)(1) (2019), contra, Tex. Penal Code Ann. §20A.02 (West 2021), and in Pennsylvania so can involuntary man- slaughter, 18 Pa.”

Robert Francis Ritz v. State, 481 S.W.3d 383 (Tex. App. 2015). “See Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(3), (7).”

In re B.W., 313 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. 2010). “25(e) (imposing harsher penalties for inducing a child under fourteen to engage in sexual conduct or performance); Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02 (imposing harsher penalties for trafficking a child under eighteen for purposes of compelling prostitution or sexual performance).”

Jennifer Kelly v. State, 453 S.W.3d 634 (Tex. App. 2015). “Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 20A.02(a)(7)(H) (West Supp.”

Franklin Coy Kuhl, Jr. v. State, 497 S.W.3d 128 (Tex. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “011 (Sexual Assault) Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 20A.02(a)(7)(C). A “[c]hild” is defined as “a person younger than 18 years of age.”

Davis v. State, 488 S.W.3d 860 (Tex. App. 2016). “Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 20A.02(a)(2)-(4), (6)-(8).”

Griffin, Richard Dale (Tex. Crim. App. 2021). · cites it 13× “The statute 1 See Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02. 2 See Ritz v. State, 481 S.”

Rachel Ann Childs v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024). · cites it 5× “Counts two and three – sex trafficking Although counts two and three both alleged sex trafficking, the wording of Texas Penal Code section 20A.02 indicates that subdivisions (a)(3)(A) and (a)(4) 7 are considered separate offenses.”

Show all 76 citing cases →

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(7)(C) — 1 case

William Geoffrey Thacker v. State (Tex. App. 2020).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(7)(H) — 1 case

Clifford Milton v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a) — 11 cases

Bobby Moreno v. State, 413 S.W.3d 119 (Tex. App. 2013). “Laws 392 (amended 2009, 2011) (current version at Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 20A.02(a) (West Supp.”

Ritz v. State, 533 S.W.3d 302 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017). “03 (“Continuous Trafficking of Persons”); see also Tex Penal Code § 20A.02 ("Trafficking of Persons”).”

Kedrick Nelms v. State (Tex. App. 2019).

Richard Dale Griffin v. State (Tex. App. 2020).

in Re Facebook, Inc. & Facebook, Inc. D/B/A Instagram (Tex. 2021).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(1) — 4 cases

Rachel Ann Childs v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024). “Counts two and three – sex trafficking Although counts two and three both alleged sex trafficking, the wording of Texas Penal Code section 20A.02 indicates that subdivisions (a)(3)(A) and (a)(4) 7 are considered separate offenses.”

Ellilian Jud Ramos v. State (Tex. App. 2009).

Christopher Castoreno v. State (Tex. App. 2019).

Griffin, Richard Dale (Tex. Crim. App. 2021). “The statute 1 See Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02. 2 See Ritz v. State, 481 S.”

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(2) — 3 cases

Ritz v. State, 533 S.W.3d 302 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017). “03 (“Continuous Trafficking of Persons”); see also Tex Penal Code § 20A.02 ("Trafficking of Persons”).”

Davis v. State, 488 S.W.3d 860 (Tex. App. 2016). “Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 20A.02(a)(2)-(4), (6)-(8).”

Griffin, Richard Dale (Tex. Crim. App. 2021). “The statute 1 See Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02. 2 See Ritz v. State, 481 S.”

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(3) — 5 cases

Robert Francis Ritz v. State, 481 S.W.3d 383 (Tex. App. 2015). “See Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(3), (7).”

SMA v. Salesforce (N.D. Tex. 2025).

Jane Doe AS v. Salesforce Inc (N.D. Tex. 2025).

Jane Doe AS v. Salesforce Inc (N.D. Tex. 2024).

Ritz, Robert Francis (Tex. App. 2015).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(3)(A) — 2 cases

Joseph Elija Campbell v. the State of Texas (2026).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(4) — 2 cases

Murray v. Lumpkin (W.D. Tex. 2022).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(5) — 2 cases

Ritz v. State, 533 S.W.3d 302 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017). “03 (“Continuous Trafficking of Persons”); see also Tex Penal Code § 20A.02 ("Trafficking of Persons”).”

Griffin, Richard Dale (Tex. Crim. App. 2021). “The statute 1 See Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02. 2 See Ritz v. State, 481 S.”

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(6) — 2 cases

Ritz v. State, 533 S.W.3d 302 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017). “03 (“Continuous Trafficking of Persons”); see also Tex Penal Code § 20A.02 ("Trafficking of Persons”).”

Griffin, Richard Dale (Tex. Crim. App. 2021). “The statute 1 See Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02. 2 See Ritz v. State, 481 S.”

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(7) — 10 cases

Richard Dale Griffin v. State (Tex. App. 2020).

Griffin, Richard Dale (Tex. Crim. App. 2021). “The statute 1 See Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02. 2 See Ritz v. State, 481 S.”

Zachariah Joshua Holm v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2023).

Chase Daniel Laird v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2023).

Jeffery Ryan Moore v. State (Tex. App. 2016).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(7)(B) — 5 cases

Ritz v. State, 533 S.W.3d 302 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017). “03 (“Continuous Trafficking of Persons”); see also Tex Penal Code § 20A.02 ("Trafficking of Persons”).”

A.P. Tristan v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).

Anthony Ryan Patterson v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).

Griffin, Richard Dale (Tex. Crim. App. 2021).

Roger Dale May v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(7)(C) — 12 cases

Ritz v. State, 533 S.W.3d 302 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017). “03 (“Continuous Trafficking of Persons”); see also Tex Penal Code § 20A.02 ("Trafficking of Persons”).”

Franklin Coy Kuhl, Jr. v. State, 497 S.W.3d 128 (Tex. App. 2016). “011 (Sexual Assault) Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 20A.02(a)(7)(C). A “[c]hild” is defined as “a person younger than 18 years of age.”

Lizette Deluna v. State (Tex. App. 2016).

Christopher Castoreno v. State (Tex. App. 2019).

Jason Daniel Strickland v. State (Tex. App. 2019).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(7)(E) — 5 cases

Ex Parte Isaac Humphrey v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024).

Fabbian Donta Scott v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).

Jasmine Lanette Johnson v. State (Tex. App. 2014).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(7)(H) — 6 cases

Jennifer Kelly v. State, 453 S.W.3d 634 (Tex. App. 2015). “Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 20A.02(a)(7)(H) (West Supp.”

Clifford Milton v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024).

Shun Eric Simon v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024).

TURLEY, ANDREW JAMES v. the State of Texas (Tex. Crim. App. 2024).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(7)(J) — 1 case

Valadez v. Ken Paxton, Attorney Gen. of Texas (W.D. Tex. 2024).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(8) — 1 case

Griffin, Richard Dale (Tex. Crim. App. 2021). “The statute 1 See Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02. 2 See Ritz v. State, 481 S.”

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(a)(l) — 2 cases

Ritz v. State, 533 S.W.3d 302 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017). “03 (“Continuous Trafficking of Persons”); see also Tex Penal Code § 20A.02 ("Trafficking of Persons”).”

Bobby Moreno v. State, 413 S.W.3d 119 (Tex. App. 2013). “Laws 392 (amended 2009, 2011) (current version at Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 20A.02(a) (West Supp.”

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(b) — 2 cases

Anthony Maurice Humphrey v. State (Tex. App. 2017).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(b)(1) — 2 cases

Jeffrey Leon Barrett v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2023).

TURLEY, ANDREW JAMES v. the State of Texas (Tex. Crim. App. 2024).

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(c) — 7 cases

Ritz v. State, 533 S.W.3d 302 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017). “03 (“Continuous Trafficking of Persons”); see also Tex Penal Code § 20A.02 ("Trafficking of Persons”).”

Bobby Moreno v. State, 413 S.W.3d 119 (Tex. App. 2013). “Laws 392 (amended 2009, 2011) (current version at Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 20A.02(a) (West Supp.”

Ricky Alan Singleton v. State (Tex. App. 2019).

State of Tennessee v. Randall Ray Ward (Tenn. Crim. App. 2020).

Griffin, Richard Dale (Tex. Crim. App. 2021). “The statute 1 See Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02. 2 See Ritz v. State, 481 S.”

— Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02(d) — 3 cases

Ritz v. State, 533 S.W.3d 302 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017). “03 (“Continuous Trafficking of Persons”); see also Tex Penal Code § 20A.02 ("Trafficking of Persons”).”

Griffin, Richard Dale (Tex. Crim. App. 2021). “The statute 1 See Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02. 2 See Ritz v. State, 481 S.”

Larry Wayne Carter v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).

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