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New laws that took effect Sept. 1 are addressing human trafficking in Texas. House Bill 3579 allows the Texas Department of Licensing and Regu- lation to close massage businesses suspected of human trafficking, per an Aug. 22 news release. Other similar laws affecting the TDLR include: • HB 2313 requires rideshare companies to provide human trafficking training to their drivers regarding awareness and how to report suspected trafficking. • HB 2016 prevents someone from getting a massage therapy license if they have been con- victed of, entered a no contest or guilty plea, or received deferred adjudication for sexual 2 new Texas laws tackle human trafficking
assault and aggravated sexual assault. Dig deeper There are nearly 9,000 illicit massage businesses, or IMBs, in the United States, according to nonprofit research and advocacy group Children at Risk’s March 2022 report. With nearly 700 of those IMBs in Texas, the group called Houston “undeniably prevalent” for having IMBs. The organization also cited the following: • Such unlicensed operations are fronts for prostitution, and many engage in human trafficking. • Law enforcement spends a disproportionate amount of time patrolling smaller cities, towns and suburbs. • IMBs were often located in or near affluent areas. • Most lease commercial space. • More than 900,000 children attend school within a mile of an IMB.
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“Those who are selling their bodies for sex are almost always victims, not criminals. Our goal is to rescue and support them.” ED GONZALES, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF
Plan ahead to protect your loved ones. Planning in advance provides valuable peace of mind. Katy Funeral Home and the new Forest Park Southwest are committed to work together and assist West Houston families to fulfill all of their funeral, cremation and cemetery needs.
Katy OKs cybersecurity program
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cybersecurity technology services. The details This resolution proposes an updated framework for a city cybersecurity assessment, a cyber resilience program and the imple- mentation of an updated general cybersecurity strategy against potential infiltrations, according to a City Council presentation.
During a Katy City Council meeting held Aug. 28, City Coun- cil members voted unanimously to implement a new cybersecu- rity program. The approval of this new plan authorizes Mayor William “Dusty” Thiele to enter an agreement up to $255,716 with True North Consult- ing Group LLC for consultation on
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