820 New Texas Laws Go Into Effect In September. Here Are Some That Might Affect You.

The laws include new rules for smokers, telemarketers, hazing and kids selling lemonade…

By Matthew Watkins

This Sunday, 820 new laws passed during the 2019 session of the Texas Legislature will go into effect. They range from the huge — a $250 billion two-year budget — to the symbolic — a number of bills to rename parts of Texas highways. Here’s a sample of several that will impact Texans’ lives:

The 2020-2021 budget: The state’s two-year budget calls for spending roughly $250 billion on priorities including public school funding, teacher salaries and early childhood intervention programs.

The “Born Alive Act”: This law, House Bill 16, requires doctors to treat a baby born alive in the rare instance of a failed abortion attempt.

A new smoking age: This new law, Senate Bill 21, will raise the age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21.

Defunding abortion providers: This measure, Senate Bill 22, will prohibit state and local governments from partnering with agencies that perform abortions, even if they contract for services not related to the procedure.

No more Driver Responsibility Program: This new law, House Bill 2048, will eliminate this much-maligned program, which critics say traps low-income Texans in a cycle of debt. It had survived past attempts to kill it because money from fines helps fund the state’s emergency trauma care system. The bill offers alternative funding sources for trauma care.

New rules for female inmates: House Bill 650 makes a series of changes to state law that are designed to make state prisons more accommodating to female inmates. The bill will ban the shackling of pregnant women, require a trauma screening of each incoming female inmate and require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to study the effects of visitation policies on women and their children.

Free speech on campus: Senate Bill 18, filed in response to concerns that conservative voices were being stifled on campus, requires schools to allow people to engage in “expressive activities” in outdoor common spaces.

An attempt to stop telemarketers: HB 1992 starting Sunday, telemarketers will be banned from calling Texans using fake numbers that show up on the recipient’s caller ID.

Fighting surprise medical bills: Senate Bill 1264 aims to prevent Texans from being hit with surprise medical bills when their health care provider and insurance company can’t agree on a payment. The measure ushers the disputes into a state-overseen arbitration process, keeping patients out of the fight.

Lemonade stands: Neighborhoods and cities will no longer be allowed to enact regulations that block or regulate children trying to sell nonalcoholic drinks like lemonade on private property. Support for this new law grew after police in the East Texas town of Overton reportedly shut down a lemonade stand by two young siblings who were trying to earn money to buy a Father’s Day present.

Carry your handgun during a disaster: House Bill 1177 will allow people to carry their handguns — even if they are unlicensed — in the week after the governor declares a natural disaster.

Seller’s disclosure for houses in a floodplain: Senate Bill 339 expands the rules for selling property to require disclosures when a home is in a 500-year floodplain, a flood pool, or in or near a reservoir. They must say whether the home has flooded in a catastrophic event.

No more stealing packages: Thieves who steal packages from people’s front porches will start facing stiffer penalties. Penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, depending on the number of addresses mail is taken from.

Beer & Wine Sales: Two new laws will free up alcohol access in Texas starting Sept. 1. Certain breweries will now be allowed to sell their suds to go, and more restaurants will be able to deliver beer and wine to customers.

Sending Nude Photos: The law will make the electronic transmission of unwanted sexually explicit material a class C misdemeanor. But legal experts worry it could be written too broadly under the First Amendment to be effective.

DPS New Funding: In hopes to provide quicker service, over 90 of DPS’ 229 offices — including every mega center and “severely crowded” office — will become fully staffed, while another 100 will receive smaller personnel boosts.

Transfer of College Classes (went into effect June 19): The bill mandates required reporting from colleges and universities about courses that don’t transfer, and aims to help students save time and money.

Brass Knuckles & Other Self-Defense Items: House Bill 446, authored by state Rep. Joe Moody, lifts a ban on brass knuckles and similar self-defense items.

Hazing: SB 38: Defines coercion to consume a drug or alcohol as hazing, strengthens institutional reporting requirements and holds colleges and universities accountable for transparency on campus. It also facilitates the prosecution of perpetrators of hazing, ensuring persons face meaningful consequences for this behavior.

Guardianship Abuse, Fraud and Deterrence: SB 31 program will help prevent the exploitation of persons who need a legal guardian because they cannot care for themselves. 

Attorney’s for Low Income: Encourages appointing pro bono attorneys for low-income Texans. It also can increase the damages that may be awarded to elderly victims of Internet-based fraud.

Coerced Debt: HB 2697, which addresses “coerced debt” by providing victims of family violence and financial abuse tools to repair their credit and more easily leave abusive situations.

Credit Card Fraud: A package of bills (HB 2624, HB 2625 and HB 2945) to address credit card skimming, a constant issue for Texas consumers and businesses alike.

Medicaid Transportation Services: HB 25 creates a pilot program to allow children to accompany their mothers who rely on Medicaid transportation services 

New Mother’s & Breastfeeding: HB 541 clarifies that women may express breast milk at public sites where they can breastfeed, facilitating their earlier return to work after giving birth.

Mental Illness & Intellectual disability: HB 601 ensures that defendants who may have a mental illness or intellectual disability are interviewed timely by an expert.

Texas Veterans: SB 2104 authorizes legal aid services for veterans and establishes the Texas Veterans County Service Officer Task Force to better leverage local resources.

Recycling: SB 649 encourages proper recycling and reduces contamination, as well as addressing market demand for recyclables.

Source: Texas Tribune. Bobby Blanchard contributed reporting.