The Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) announced that the owner of a Houston massage establishment, which the state agency shuttered late last month for alleged human trafficking, has agreed to close seven additional businesses and exit the massage industry.

Hsin Wei Chen and Foot Reflexology Star were the targets of an emergency closure order issued by TDLR on May 30, according to a June 24 press release from the department.

It was the first action taken under authority granted by Texas House Bill (HB) 3579, authored by State Representative Ben Bumgarner (R-Roanoke) and sponsored by State Senator Phil King (R-Weatherford).

Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation Executive Director Courtney Arbour. | LinkedIn

According to the release, TDLR Executive Director Courtney Arbour said that the emergency order and resulting settlement should send a message to human traffickers that her agency now has the tools to address what she calls "destructive crimes against vulnerable people." Arbour stated that TDLR will continue to work with local law enforcement agencies to confront human trafficking.

HB 3579 went into effect on September 1, 2023, authorizing the executive director to issue an emergency order shuttering any massage establishment if law enforcement or TDLR believes human trafficking is occurring at the business.

Chen’s business is located at 10801 Spring Cypress Road, Suite 12. A TDLR inspection of the establishment revealed reasonable cause that human trafficking was taking place there, according to the release. After the order was issued, Chen signed a settlement agreement voiding his massage therapist license in addition to these massage establishment licenses.