SB 1278: Parker’s bill on a defense for trafficking victims

Caption

relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for victims of certain offenses.

Summary

Victims coerced or under duress into an offense get an affirmative defense.

The bill adds a new affirmative defense to the Penal Code for people who committed an offense because they were coerced, under duress, or reasonably afraid of harm as victims of human trafficking, compelling prostitution, or certain family violence assaults. It touches defendants who were victims of those specific offenses, plus the prosecutors and courts handling their cases. Starting September 1, 2025, such a defendant can offer evidence of their victim status at trial to try to defeat the charge.

Labels

Labels: CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Tan Parker (R) in the Senate. Lead sponsor Senfronia Thompson (D) in the House. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB1278 · 2025-02-14

SOLD BY

Sen. Tan ParkerRSenate 12

+ 1 coauthor

ITEM

relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for victims of certain offenses.

WHAT IT DOES

Victims coerced or under duress into an offense get an affirmative defense.

The bill adds a new affirmative defense to the Penal Code for people who committed an offense because they were coerced, under duress, or reasonably afraid of harm as victims of human trafficking, compelling prostitution, or certain family violence assaults. It touches defendants who were victims of those specific offenses, plus the prosecutors and courts handling their cases. Starting September 1, 2025, such a defendant can offer evidence of their victim status at trial to try to defeat the charge.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version S · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · April 30, 2025

Amending the list of general defenses to criminal responsibility may result in decreases in demands upon state correctional resources due to a possible decrease in the number of individuals placed under supervision in the community or sentenced to a term of confinement. The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due to the lack of data to estimate the prevalence of offense circumstances in which the affirmative defense would be applicable under the provisions of the bill.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

Feb 14, 2025Received by the Secretary of the Senate
Feb 14, 2025Filed
Feb 28, 2025Read first time
Feb 28, 2025Referred to Criminal Justice
Apr 29, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 29, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 29, 2025Testimony taken in committee
Apr 29, 2025Vote taken in committee
May 5, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
May 5, 2025Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
May 5, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
May 6, 2025Placed on intent calendar
May 7, 2025Co-author authorized
May 7, 2025Rules suspended-Regular order of business
May 7, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
May 7, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
May 7, 2025Three day rule suspended
May 7, 2025Record vote
May 7, 2025Read 3rd time
May 7, 2025Passed
May 7, 2025Record vote
May 7, 2025Reported engrossed
May 8, 2025Received from the Senate
May 10, 2025Read first time
May 10, 2025Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
May 12, 2025Posting rule suspended
May 13, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
May 13, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 13, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
May 13, 2025Left pending in committee
May 15, 2025Considered in formal meeting
May 15, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
May 19, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
May 19, 2025Committee report distributed
May 19, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
May 19, 2025Considered in Calendars
May 21, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
May 22, 2025Read 2nd time
May 22, 2025Passed to 3rd reading
May 22, 2025Record vote RV#3281
May 22, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 23, 2025Read 3rd time
May 23, 2025Passed
May 23, 2025Record vote RV#3356
May 23, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 23, 2025House passage reported
May 23, 2025Reported enrolled
May 26, 2025Signed in the Senate
May 26, 2025Signed in the House
May 27, 2025Sent to the Governor
Jun 22, 2025Vetoed by the Governor

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 140 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 23, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 7, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Tan Parker

Donors

Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group PAC$40K Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$25K The Peck Family Trust$25K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Jun 29, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group PAC$40,000.00

Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group PAC

$40,000.00

Cash: $40,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $40,000.00

Also funds 10 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Feb 17, 2026 to Oct 16, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Jun 25, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101060289.

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$25,250.00

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$25,250.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $250.00
Total: $25,250.00

fundraiser $250.00

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 4, 2024 to Oct 9, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100986801, 101009904, 101031351.

The Peck Family Trust$25,000.00

The Peck Family Trust

$25,000.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $25,000.00

Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Dec 14, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 14, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100986801.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group PAC

$40,000.00

Cash: $40,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $40,000.00

Also funds 10 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Feb 17, 2026 to Oct 16, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Jun 25, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101060289.

×

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$25,250.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $250.00
Total: $25,250.00

fundraiser $250.00

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 4, 2024 to Oct 9, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100986801, 101009904, 101031351.

×

The Peck Family Trust

$25,000.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $25,000.00

Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Dec 14, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 14, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100986801.

Votes5

House May 23, 2025

Yea: 140
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: 1
Absent: 3
Excused: 6

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 3356

SB 1278 was passed by (Record 3356): 140 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 140 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: 1 (published)
Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 22, 2025

Yea: 142
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 2
Excused: 4

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 3281

SB 1278 was passed to third reading by (Record 3281): 142 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 142 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 7, 2025

Yea: 31
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator Parker moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1278 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 31 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 7, 2025

Yea: 31
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator Parker moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1278 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 31 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 7, 2025

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses28

For: 26
Against: 1
On: 1

Names

For

Children at Risk1 registration
Lone Star Justice Alliance1 registration
Not On Our Watch Texas1 registration
Self4 registrations
Self; Alliance for safety and justice1 registration
Self; Doug Deason1 registration
Self; Equity Action1 registration
Self; Lone Star Justice Alliance1 registration
Self; SGSolutions1 registration
Self; True Texas Project2 registrations
Self; True texas project3 registrations
Street Grace1 registration
Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops2 registrations
Texas Civil Rights Project1 registration
Texas Council on Family Violence2 registrations
Texas PTA1 registration
Texas Public Policy Foundation2 registrations

Against

Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA)1 registration

On

Self1 registration

Sources

28 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version S · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · April 30, 2025

Amending the list of general defenses to criminal responsibility may result in decreases in demands upon state correctional resources due to a possible decrease in the number of individuals placed under supervision in the community or sentenced to a term of confinement. The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due to the lack of data to estimate the prevalence of offense circumstances in which the affirmative defense would be applicable under the provisions of the bill.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Feb 14, 2025

06/22/2025 E Vetoed by the Governor

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · Senate Committee Report · Engrossed · House Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors

César BlancoDSenate 29

Companion

HB 2772 by Thompson (identical)

Subjects

Criminal Procedure--Defense Counsel

Criminal Procedure--General

Family--Family Violence

CRIME VICTIMS

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

PROSTITUTION

Text

The text as introduced · 239 words

89R12703 MCF-F

By: Parker
S.B. No. 1278

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for victims of

certain offenses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 8, Penal Code, is amended by adding

Section 8.09 to read as follows:

Sec. 8.09. VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING, COMPELLING PROSTITUTION,

OR FAMILY VIOLENCE. (a) It is an affirmative defense to

prosecution that the actor engaged in the conduct charged because

the actor was coerced, acting under duress, or reasonably feared

harm as a result of being the victim of an offense:

(1) under Section 20A.02 or 43.05; or

(2) punishable under Section 22.01(b)(2).

(b) Information relevant to the identification of a

defendant's status as a victim of an offense described by

Subsection (a) may be offered to establish an affirmative defense

under this section.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.

An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is

governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,

and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For

purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the

effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred

before that date.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: No flags

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group PAC

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

The Peck Family Trust

Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group PAC

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

The Peck Family Trust

House May 23, 2025

House May 22, 2025

Senate May 7, 2025

Senate May 7, 2025

Senate May 7, 2025

For

Against

On

Companion