In a significant move to combat human trafficking, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has shuttered the doors of a Houston area massage parlor suspected of engaging in illicit activities. The establishment in question, Hsin Wei Chen and Foot Reflexology Star, located on 10801 Spring Cypress Road, Suite 12, was issued a six-month emergency closure on May 30, marking the first instance of such action under the auspices of House Bill 3579.
This new legislation, which took effect last September, empowers the TDLR's executive director to enact emergency closures of massage businesses if there is suspicion of human trafficking. According to the Houston Chronicle, the owner of the now-closed parlor has faced a previous enforcement case for related misconduct. Brian E. Francis, TDLR Interim Director, expressed gratitude for the legislative support which has provided additional means of intervention in these affairs, stating, "For too long, human traffickers have been able to hide what they’ve been doing in massage establishments."
Inspection by TDLR officials unveiled reasonable grounds to suspect ongoing human trafficking at the business, prompting the closure. However, specifics pertaining to the evidence leading to this conclusion remain undisclosed to the public. Reinforcing their commitment, the TDLR has avowed to collaborate with local law enforcement in an effort to eradicate this exploitation, as mentioned in a news release spotlighted by Community Impact.
The context of Bill 3579, authored by state Rep. Ben Bumgarner and state Sen. Phil King, both Republicans, indicates a firm legislative intention to address the pressing issue of human trafficking within the state. Bumgarner, quoted in the same release, expressed personal satisfaction with the bill's impact, stating, "As a husband and father, seeing this legislation make a difference means everything to me." Members of the community who suspect human trafficking activities can reach out to the National Hotline for Human Trafficking at 1-888-373-7888 or file a complaint with TDLR.
