Perry signs bills with stricter penalties for human trafficking

Bipartisanship has helped Gov. Rick Perry earn a Promise Kept from the Perry-O-Meter for his pledge to toughen the state's laws against human trafficking.

Perry, a Republican from West Texas, appeared at a May 25 signing ceremony for two bills imposing stricter penalties on those guilty of trafficking with the two Democratic authors of those bills, a senator from San Antonio and a House member from Houston.

Senate Bill 24 by Sen. Leticia Van de Putte enacts proposals that were recommended by a task force on human-trafficking prevention created in 2009. Among other changes, the legislation increases to a first-degree felony the offense of compelling a child into prostitution and requires that repeat offenders receive a life sentence.

The Senate approved the legislation March 23, and the House followed April 7. Perry signed it April 21.

House Bill 3000 by Rep. Senfronia Thompson creates a new first-degree felony — "continuous trafficking of persons" — to apply to repeat offenders. The punishment can range from 25 years to life in prison.

The House passed the legislation April 14, and the Senate followed May 13. Perry signed it May 25.

We rate this promise Kept.