We are thrilled to share the news that Texas House Bill 451 has officially passed and will take effect on September 1, 2025. This legislation marks a major advancement for the safety of children in the state’s care and juvenile justice system.
HB 451 requires that every child entering into the Department of Family and Protective Services conservatorship must receive a developmentally appropriate comprehensive assessment that includes a screening for risk of commercial sexual exploitation. The screening must be conducted within 45 days of the child entering conservatorship, and it must use a validated, evidence-informed tool selected by the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit. Similarly, HB 451 also requires the juvenile probation department to conduct a screening for risk of commercial sexual exploitation before the disposition of a child’s case. . This approach prioritizes early intervention at one of the most vulnerable points in a child’s life, helping ensure that needs are identified and addressed as quickly and effectively as possible.
Children involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems often carry significant trauma and are at heightened risk for exploitation. By formalizing early screening and ensuring that it is consistently applied across the state, HB 451 closes a dangerous gap in identification. Additionally, it empowers state agencies and advocacy organizations to work together using shared tools and data to meet children’s needs and prevent further harm. This is a win not only for the systems working to protect children, but most importantly for the children themselves.
At the heart of HB 451 is the Commercial Sexual Exploitation Identification Tool (CSE-IT), a validated, research-based screening tool developed by West Coast Children’s Clinic to help identify youth who are at risk of, currently experiencing, or have experienced commercial sexual exploitation. The tool is already used by many child-serving professionals across Texas, including Unbound Now. The CSE-IT is designed to take just five to seven minutes to complete and uses eight key research-based indicators. While it is not a diagnostic tool, the CSE-IT organizes credible information from various sources and produces a score to help professionals decide which youth need further assessment and services. Overall, the CSE-IT promotes early intervention through a trauma-informed, victim-centered approach. To use the CSE-IT through the Lighthouse platform, individuals must complete training and agencies must register. The tool gives professionals a consistent, research-based way to identify exploitation before a child is actively being trafficked.
We are celebrating the passage of this bill with deep gratitude for the many partners who made it possible. Representative Senfronia Thompson, Representative Suleman Lalani, and Senator Angela Paxton provided steadfast legislative leadership. The Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, Texas CASA, Children at Risk, and many local and statewide advocates worked tirelessly to see this bill through. HB 451 is the result of strong collaboration, thoughtful dialogue, and a shared belief that our kids deserve the best possible protection.
In the months ahead, DFPS and juvenile probation agencies will begin integrating the CSE-IT tool into their processes. Every time a child is screened, referred, or supported through this process, we take one more step toward building a world where exploitation no longer has a foothold. At Unbound Now, we are proud to walk alongside the many individuals and organizations who are doing this work every day.
We invite you to share this news, stay connected as implementation begins, and continue championing child protection in every space where you have influence.
Together, we can safeguard hope, restore dignity, and protect the most vulnerable among us. HB 451 reminds us that change is possible, and that Texas continues to lead the way in building a future free from exploitation.
Written by Danielle Stacey, Public Policy Fellow