According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), the fiscal implications of HB 451 are expected to result in a total estimated negative impact of $1,126,802 to General Revenue–Related Funds over the 2026–2027 biennium. The bill would require both the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and juvenile probation departments to implement validated, evidence-informed screenings for the risk of commercial sexual exploitation. The projected costs are front-loaded in the first two fiscal years—approximately $692,140 in 2026 and $434,662 in 2027—with no additional ongoing costs expected through 2030.

Most of the costs stem from technology upgrades needed for DFPS’s Information Management Protecting Children and Adults in Texas (IMPACT) system, which currently does not integrate the screening tools and relies on manual data entry. To address this, DFPS would contract system analysts to develop and embed the tool within IMPACT. Technology costs are estimated at $674,604 in FY2026 and $456,482 in FY2027, ensuring the agency can monitor and ensure compliance across its programs.

Additionally, the analysis anticipates that 28 DFPS and community-based care (CBC) contractor staff would need to become certified in using the screening tool, the Commercial Sexual Exploitation–Identification Tool (CSE-IT). Certification costs are minimal, estimated at $7,280 total in FY2026. While DFPS can train staff within its current appropriation, the need for certification adds a one-time expense.

Regarding local government impact, the fiscal note indicates uncertainty for juvenile probation departments. The costs to these departments will vary depending on whether they already conduct such assessments or would need to hire staff or adopt new tools. Some departments may already use the CSE-IT tool; others might require training or transition to a different screening method, potentially increasing their local burden. However, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department is expected to absorb any related costs within its existing appropriations.

HB 451 addresses a documented vulnerability in Texas's child welfare and juvenile justice systems by requiring targeted screening for the risk of commercial sexual exploitation. According to the bill analysis, nearly half of child sex trafficking victims have had involvement in the foster care system. Although the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) currently uses a validated tool for children aged 10 and older, usage remains low, with only 386 screenings conducted in 2022. This reveals a significant gap between policy intent and operational reach.

The bill takes a pragmatic and liberty-conscious approach by requiring DFPS to conduct a commercial exploitation risk screening only if age-appropriate validation guidelines exist or if there are pre-existing concerns of exploitation. This conditionality ensures that screenings are both evidence-based and respectful of children's developmental needs. For children in the juvenile justice system, a similar mandate is placed on juvenile probation departments, requiring a validated, evidence-informed screening to be part of their standard risk and needs assessments.

From a liberty-oriented policy perspective, the bill advances individual liberty by working to protect children from coercion and harm—particularly within state systems entrusted with their care. It also reinforces limited government by relying on an existing, centralized authority (the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit) to select the screening tools, avoiding redundancy or bureaucratic sprawl. While there is a fiscal impact—estimated at just over $1.1 million for the biennium—the expenditure is narrowly tailored to improve technological capacity and training without expanding government scope or overburdening local entities.

In summary, HB 451 responsibly balances cost, scope, and mission by filling a critical protection gap for vulnerable children in state care while remaining faithful to principles of limited, effective government and individual protection. As such, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 451.

• Individual Liberty: This bill directly supports individual liberty by aiming to protect some of Texas’s most vulnerable individuals—children in foster care and the juvenile justice system—from exploitation and trafficking. These populations often lack the capacity or circumstances to defend themselves, so the state's duty to safeguard their physical autonomy and freedom from coercion becomes crucial. By mandating screenings that can identify risks early and potentially prevent abuse, the bill promotes the liberty and dignity of those who are most at risk.
• Personal Responsibility: While the bill does not impose obligations on private individuals, it reinforces institutional accountability. State agencies and local probation departments are held responsible for ensuring that children under their care are properly screened using tools that meet evidence-based standards. By formalizing this duty, the bill increases transparency and responsibility within the public systems tasked with child welfare and rehabilitation.
• Free Enterprise: The bill has little to no direct effect on private enterprise or market competition. It does not introduce any new regulations or barriers to business activity. However, it could potentially create opportunities for private sector or nonprofit developers of validated screening tools or training programs if selected by the state, though that impact is incidental.
• Private Property Rights: The bill does not relate to or affect ownership, use, or control of private property. It strictly pertains to child welfare and juvenile justice system procedures.
• Limited Government: The bill represents a targeted and restrained use of state authority. Rather than establishing a new bureaucracy, it leverages existing structures—specifically the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit—to select validated, evidence-informed screening tools. It also applies the screenings conditionally, based on age-appropriateness or existing concerns, preventing unnecessary or overly broad application. This narrow and efficient design reflects respect for limited government principles while ensuring essential protections are delivered where most needed.

• SB 941 (Same As)