https://www.ksat.com/news/politics/2023/06/20/new-texas-laws-that-took-effect-this-month/
Artificial Intelligence- HB 2060 created the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to study and monitor the use of AI systems by certain state agencies in Texas, an analysis of the bill says. The seven-member council will be responsible for monitoring AI systems that are developed, employed or obtained by executive and judicial branch state agencies. The bill was signed by Abbott and took effect immediately.
Crime/Law Enforcement- HB 2899 allows law enforcement officials to immediately remove vehicles used in street racing, street takeovers or reckless driving rather than impound them. The bill was signed by Abbott and took effect immediately.
HB 4333 extends Bexar County's family violence pretrial diversion pilot program. Through the Reflejo Court, the program aims to reduce repeat family violence offenses. Abbott signed the bill, and it took effect immediately.
Fentanyl- HB 3908, or Tucker's Law, requires school districts to provide instruction related to fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades 6-12. It also requires Abbott to designate Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week in public schools. Tucker's Law is named after Tucker Roe, who died from a fentanyl overdose in 2021. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
SB 629 places opioid antagonists, like Narcan, at campuses that serve students in grades 6-12. Under the law, each school district must adopt and implement a policy regarding opioid antagonists at the campuses. Districts may adopt and implement similar policies for students below the sixth grade. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
SB 867 allows the distribution of opioid antagonists, like Narcan, at Texas colleges and universities. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
Health- HB 12 expands Medicaid coverage for women following their pregnancies. Under the bill, Medicaid will be provided up to 12 months after a woman gives birth and up to six months after a woman experiences a miscarriage. Until the law was passed, postpartum Medicaid lasted two months. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
Schools- HB 1361 requires institutions of higher education to designate at least one employee to act as a liaison for current or incoming students who have children younger than 18. This is in an effort to connect them with support services and resources. Those resources include access to tutoring, medical and behavioral coverage, and programs for affordable housing, employment and food security. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
HB 2012 allows for the national motto of the United States, "In God We Trust," to be placed in public schools and institutions of higher education classrooms. The bill was signed by Abbott and takes effect immediately.
HB 3991 designates the first Friday in April as Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day in public schools. The bill aims to promote awareness of the various health benefits of fruits and vegetables. Abbott signed the bill, and it takes effect immediately.
SB 25 was created to help nursing students and faculty amid a shortage of nurses. It allows for the creation of scholarships, grants and loan repayment programs. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
School Safety- SB 838 requires school districts to provide each classroom with some type of panic alert button in case of an emergency. The technology must allow for immediate contact with school emergency services and law enforcement agencies. The districts will have to pay for the technology through their school safety budget. The bill was signed by Abbott and immediately went into effect.
Veterans- SB 493 allows veterans who received a less-than-honorable discharge due to their refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine to be labeled as receiving an honorable discharge. For a discharge to be considered honorable, the veteran must prove to the Texas Veterans Commission that their refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination was the sole reason for the discharge. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
Voting- SB 477 will allow people with disabilities or mobility problems to skip the lines at polling locations. The person must request to skip the line with an election worker. The bill's text defines disabilities to include "paralysis, lung disease, the use of portable oxygen, cardiac deficiency, severe limitation in the ability to walk due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition, wheelchair confinement, arthritis, foot disorder, the inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, or use of a brace, cane, crutch, or other assistive device." The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
Artificial Intelligence- HB 2060 created the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to study and monitor the use of AI systems by certain state agencies in Texas, an analysis of the bill says. The seven-member council will be responsible for monitoring AI systems that are developed, employed or obtained by executive and judicial branch state agencies. The bill was signed by Abbott and took effect immediately.
Crime/Law Enforcement- HB 2899 allows law enforcement officials to immediately remove vehicles used in street racing, street takeovers or reckless driving rather than impound them. The bill was signed by Abbott and took effect immediately.
HB 4333 extends Bexar County's family violence pretrial diversion pilot program. Through the Reflejo Court, the program aims to reduce repeat family violence offenses. Abbott signed the bill, and it took effect immediately.
Fentanyl- HB 3908, or Tucker's Law, requires school districts to provide instruction related to fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades 6-12. It also requires Abbott to designate Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week in public schools. Tucker's Law is named after Tucker Roe, who died from a fentanyl overdose in 2021. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
SB 629 places opioid antagonists, like Narcan, at campuses that serve students in grades 6-12. Under the law, each school district must adopt and implement a policy regarding opioid antagonists at the campuses. Districts may adopt and implement similar policies for students below the sixth grade. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
SB 867 allows the distribution of opioid antagonists, like Narcan, at Texas colleges and universities. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
Health- HB 12 expands Medicaid coverage for women following their pregnancies. Under the bill, Medicaid will be provided up to 12 months after a woman gives birth and up to six months after a woman experiences a miscarriage. Until the law was passed, postpartum Medicaid lasted two months. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
Schools- HB 1361 requires institutions of higher education to designate at least one employee to act as a liaison for current or incoming students who have children younger than 18. This is in an effort to connect them with support services and resources. Those resources include access to tutoring, medical and behavioral coverage, and programs for affordable housing, employment and food security. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
HB 2012 allows for the national motto of the United States, "In God We Trust," to be placed in public schools and institutions of higher education classrooms. The bill was signed by Abbott and takes effect immediately.
HB 3991 designates the first Friday in April as Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day in public schools. The bill aims to promote awareness of the various health benefits of fruits and vegetables. Abbott signed the bill, and it takes effect immediately.
SB 25 was created to help nursing students and faculty amid a shortage of nurses. It allows for the creation of scholarships, grants and loan repayment programs. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
School Safety- SB 838 requires school districts to provide each classroom with some type of panic alert button in case of an emergency. The technology must allow for immediate contact with school emergency services and law enforcement agencies. The districts will have to pay for the technology through their school safety budget. The bill was signed by Abbott and immediately went into effect.
Veterans- SB 493 allows veterans who received a less-than-honorable discharge due to their refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine to be labeled as receiving an honorable discharge. For a discharge to be considered honorable, the veteran must prove to the Texas Veterans Commission that their refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination was the sole reason for the discharge. The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.
Voting- SB 477 will allow people with disabilities or mobility problems to skip the lines at polling locations. The person must request to skip the line with an election worker. The bill's text defines disabilities to include "paralysis, lung disease, the use of portable oxygen, cardiac deficiency, severe limitation in the ability to walk due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition, wheelchair confinement, arthritis, foot disorder, the inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, or use of a brace, cane, crutch, or other assistive device." The bill was signed by Abbott and is effective immediately.