In September of 2003, Texas passed a law which substantially limited the amount of compensation that medical malpractice victims can seek from a physician or health care provider in civil court. Restrict motorized scooter usage to bicycle lanes, if and when available. New laws affecting TDLR licensees take effect September 1 . For more information on the current license structure, fees and more, visit the following pages and resources: Copyright 2023 Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Each of the bills listed above seek to lay out the groundwork for legalizing and regulating the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, testing, possession, and use of cannabis and cannabis products in Texas. These policies must provide peace officers employed by the agency with explicit guidelines for the use of force that ensure that force will only be used against a person in a manner proportionate to the threat posed by the person.. Our firm is dedicated to helping victims and their families seek justice. HB19 would effectively give trucking companies room to sidestep important safety precautions that demonstrably reduce the likelihood of a preventable crash, and instead shift the blame solely onto their drivers. A number of California's new laws for 2021 are efforts to root out systemic . Although spending $666 on average per year may seem like a lot, you will likely spend twice that amount in fines if you skip insurance altogether. Limit motorized scooters to one rider at a time. If passed, HB3056 would amend Subchapter A, Chapter 711 of Texas Health and Safety Code to add a section entitled Prohibiting Billboards on Cemetery Property. It would state that a person may not erect or maintain a billboard on cemetery property, and that a cemetery organization may not enter into a contract or lease authorizing a billboard on cemetery property. The lawyer also admitted to setting up a fake email account to help her falsely . The training program must be approved by the attorney general, and will include guidance on how to recognize and report human trafficking, how to report suspected human trafficking, and more. Nine new 2021 California laws that will affect you. Michigan business owner arrested after flouting COVID-19 restrictions Recorded video required by this act will be confidential, and may not be released or viewed by anyone except: If passed, HB1009 would modify Section 261.101 of Texas Family Code to provide a criminal penalty for those who fail to report child abuse resulting in a serious injury. The bill, if passed, would also set the legal groundwork for licensing cultivators and dispensaries, manufacturing practices, safety testing, and more. This would effectively allow physicians in Texas to prescribe low-THC cannabis to patients diagnosed with any medical condition that produces symptoms, or the treatment of which produces symptoms, that are alleviated by medical use of low-THC cannabis., As mentioned previously, the Texas Compassionate Use Act currently allows physicians in Texas to prescribe low-THC cannabis only to patients diagnosed with epilepsy, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, terminal cancer, or an incurable neurodegenerative disease.. Additionally, officers must ensure that: Similar to the above bills, SB71 seeks to amendChapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedureto add a section titled Law Enforcement Policy on Use of Force by Peace Officers., If passed, SB71 would require each law enforcement agency in Texas to adopt a detailed written policy regarding the use of force by peace officers employed by the agency. If passed, HB476 seeks to expand the use of the fund for veterans assistance to allow the Texas Veterans Commission to make grants to provide pro bono legal services to veterans, active duty members of the United States armed forces, and members of the state military forces. On October 1, 2021, new laws went into effect that change when your driver's license can be suspended. Address the topics of privacy, what constitute a private space, and when and under what circumstances a body camera can or should be turned off. If passed, HB1757 would amend Section 37.09 of Texas Penal Code in order to make it a criminal offense for a peace officer (or another employee of a law enforcement agency) to alter, destroy, or conceal another persons audio, visual, or photographic recording of a peace officers performance of official duties without obtaining that other persons written consent. 512.463.3208 . If passed, HB1198 seeks to amend Section 662.003(b) of the Texas Government Code to add Sam Houston Day, in honor of one of this states greatest heroes. If approved, this holiday would fall on the 26th day of July. License Changes | TABC - Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Consent must be given in a manner that indicates the customer understands that they are enrolling in a variable rate plan, and the electric provider shall provide notice that the plan includes variable rates in an easily readable font and type size. For 1 year, if you are under 21 years old and: An additional 180 days, if you don't complete an Alcohol Education Program. There is a substantial risk that the person to be arrested or attempting to escape after arrest will cause death or serious bodily injury to the actor or another if the arrest or apprehension is delayed. HB1517 & HB1518 both seek to amend Chapter 105 of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code in order to allow hotel bars to extend the hours during which alcoholic beverages may be sold and consumed on premises. On the other hand, HB255 seeks to raise the minimum wage annually based on the consumer price index (called an adjusted minimum wage). HB804 seeks to amend this law so that the insurer is only entitled to an offset/credit/deduction if and when they have paid out the full amount of the applicable liability policy limits. Excerpt from the bill: Whereas, whether its pecan pie, apple pie, blueberry pie, or pot pie, a pie is an occasion for celebration and delight, and the people of Kyle are making this beloved dish a special focus of their identity as a community.. The reform would also reinstate the licenses of people who currently have a suspended license due to non-payment of traffic fines. The use of force must be terminated the moment the person against whom force is used becomes compliant or is subdued. TABC Sept. 1, 2021 License Consolidation Explained chart (PDF) HB3248, on the other hand, seeks to allow both counties and municipalities (cities) to do so by order or local ordinance. Similar bills have been introduced this year in Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. Abbott has just announced a special legislative session to begin on July 8th, 2021). Here's what you need to know. HB3248 & SB1345 both lay out the infrastructure for cannabis sales, the licensure of cannabis growers, retailers, testing facilities, and more. likely played a role in the crash. If passed, HB502 would amend Section 504.010 of the Texas Transportation Code to authorize the department to collect a fee of $50 per year from drivers who do not wish to display a front license plate on their registered vehicle. If passed, both HCR35 & SCR21 seek to designate March 10 as Histotechnology Professionals Day for a period of ten (10) years in order to provide an opportunity to educate the public about the field of histotechnology and to give recognition to the vital contributions of histologists.. Make it a third-degree felony to intentionally or knowingly deactivate, order the deactivation of, or cause to be deactivated a recording device being used during an investigation. If passed, the bills seeks to amend Article I of the Texas Constitution (bill of rights) to add Section 35, as follows: The right of the people to own, hold, and use a mutually agreed upon medium of exchange, including cash, coin, bullion, digital currency, or scrip, when trading and contracting for goods and services shall not be infringed. If passed, HB1073 would require daycare centers to place video recording equipment in each area of the facility (excluding bathrooms) occupied by children who are two years of age or younger, and to record any time children who are two years of age or younger are present in the area. If passed, HB2452 would amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure in order to require each law enforcement agency in the state to adopt a policy prohibiting a peace officer of the agency from making a motor vehicle stop on the shoulder of a controlled access highway.. The exemption provided by this section applies to both the portion of the state using central standard time as the official standard time and the portion of the state using mountain standard time as the official standard time. Of course if the federal minimum wage (currently at $7.25/hour) is raised higher than Texas minimum wage at any point, employers in Texas may not pay their employees less than the federal minimum wage. Now passed, this law takes effect immediately. Free to Drive: End driver's license suspensions for unpaid fines and fees If passed, HB504 seeks to amend Section 2154.202(g) of the Texas Occupations Code in order to permit fireworks sales to the public beginning June 14 and ending at midnight on June 19 (Juneteenth) in a county in which the commissioners court of the county has approved the sale of fireworks during the period. Emphasize the use of conflict de-escalation techniques; and. HCR67 seeks to designate April 6 as Tejano Day (an observance that coincides with the date in 1813 when Tejano leaders issued the first declaration of Texas independence) for a period of ten (10) years. If passed, HB563 states that each law enforcement agency in Texas shall adopt a detailed written policy requiring peace officers employed by the agency to intervene to stop or prevent another peace officer from using excessive force against a person suspected of committing an offense, if an ordinary, prudent peace officer would intervene under the same or similar circumstances.. Proponents often argue that students names and images are used on products and in advertising that brings revenue to the school, and thus should receive a portion of these profits as compensation. HB1404 seeks to amend Chapters 711 and 716 of Texas Health and Safety Code,as well as Section 651 of the Texas Occupations Code in order to permit the use of alkaline hydrolysis cremation (AKA bio-cremation, resomation, aquamation, green cremation, flameless cremation, or water cremation) with regard to human remains. Each of the four joint resolutions above propose an amendment to the Texas constitution which states that the legislature by law shall authorize and regulate the possession, cultivation, and sale of cannabis for medical use in this state., These three bills seek to amend Chapter 487 of the Texas Health and Safety Code in order to lay the legal groundwork for medical marijuana sales in Texas. HB2808, HB3370 & HB3494, on the other hand, seek to do away with variable rate energy plans for residential customers entirely. HB1676 (known as Catis Act) seeks to amend Chapter 341 of Texas Health and Safety Code in order to enact additional requirements for schools and youth camps which allow children under their supervision access to a swimming pools, lakes, rivers, or other bodies of water. If passed, the bills seek to amend Article XVI of the Texas Constitution by adding that the state, acting under the exemption provisions of the Uniform Time Act of 1966, is exempt from the provisions of that law that establish daylight saving time. Even if their damages later turn out to be much higher than they initially thought, the insurance company is no longer obligated to pay any additional compensation. HB2367, on the other hand, seeks to amend Section 504.002 of the Texas Transportation Code to state that the department shall allow a vehicle registered under Chapter 502 to be equipped with a license plate that utilizes integrated circuit technology., Many drivers are frustrated with the increasing number of toll-funded highway projects in the state, as well as the fact that our states oldest toll roads still collect fees from drivers even though the road has long since been paid off.. While our law firm solely focuses on car accidents and personal injury law, well do our best to provide answersor at least point you in the right direction. NEWS. Suspended Michigan drivers will have licenses reinstated under new law Restrict anyone from riding a motorized scooter (gas or electric) on a roadway unless the posted speed limit is 30 mph or less (currently the limit is 35 mph or less). Similar to SJR13 (above), SJR30 and HJR78 both propose a constitutional amendment which would authorize a statewide referendum allowing voters to indicate a preference for observing standard time year-round or observing daylight saving time year-round (rather than switching back and forth). Arnold Schwarzenegger before it becomes law. New Lawyer's License Suspended After Sending Letter Falsely Accusing Co-Worker's Husband of Sexual Harassment. Appropriate commission, department, or law enforcement personnel as part on an investigation related to suspected abuse, neglect, or a licensing standard violation. Aug 23, 2010. LANSING - Over 73,000 people across Michigan whose driver's licenses were suspended for certain infractions can get back on the road as a new law takes effect Friday. Similarly, HB2481 seeks to require each provider of generation in the ERCOT power region to implement measures to prepare generation facilities to provide adequate electric generation service during a winter weather emergency. See our Carry of Firearms page for more info on this new law. Review complaints received by the office regarding the use of force by peace officers of law enforcement agencies, conduct investigations, and (when necessary) request the district or county attorney to bring actions against an agency in order to institute reforms regarding their use of force practices. If passed, HB827 seeks to amend Chapter 372 of the Texas Transportation Code in order to prohibit toll project entities (or private entities that operate a toll project) from disclosing information on the speed at which a vehicle is operated on the toll project to a law enforcement agency for the purpose of proving an offense under Subchapter H, Chapter 545 (speed restrictions). These policies must: HB833, if passed, goes a bit further than HB562 by requiring that the commission develop and make available to all law enforcement agencies in this state a model policy and associated training materials regarding the use of force by peace officers. If passed, HB3773 seeks to designate September 21 as Alzheimers Awareness Day in order to increase awareness of individuals who are suffering from dementia and to express appreciation to the caregivers of Alzheimers patients for the services and care provided to the patients.. If passed, SB419 seeks to again increase this limit from $20,000 to $50,000. It would also allow an Indian tribe recognized by the United States government under federal law to operate slot machines or casino gaming on its Indian land within this state, According to the bill, the goal is to impose a tax on the casino gaming revenue (10% of revenue from table games and 25% of revenue from slot machines) in order to foster economic development and job growth and to provide tax relief and funding for education and public safety programs.. However, Texans are still able to get a license to carry after the new law takes effect. If passed, the bills would define a public place as any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access. In this context, personal protective equipment means specialized clothing or equipment worn by a person meant to protect against potential infectious contaminants in the environment, or to interfere with the transmission of particles originating from the nose or mouth. This bill also seeks to disallow ride operators from simultaneously operating more than one amusement ride at a time. The money placed in a minors savings account, trust account, or trust subaccount may not be withdrawn, removed, paid out, or transferred to any person, including the minor, except pursuant to a court order, on the minors 18th birthday, or upon the minors death. Texas current Move Over / Slow Down law states that motorists who are approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, tow truck, or highway maintenance/construction vehicle must vacate the lane closest to the vehicle if the road has two or more lanes, or to slow down to 20 mph less than the posted speed limit. Any billboards erected on cemetery property under a contract or lease entered into before the effective date of this Act would have to be dismantled or removed from the cemetery on the expiration date of the existing contract or lease between the cemetery organization and the billboard owner or lessee. The act would also require officers to provide aid immediately to any person who needs medical attention as a result of the use of force by a peace officer, as well as require identification as a peace officer before taking any action within the course and scope of the officers official duties (unless the identification would render the action impracticable). If voters decide to observe standard time year round, this would go into effect beginning 01/01/2022. In March of 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a waiver which permitted restaurants with a mixed beverage permit to offer beer, wine, and mixed drinks to-go with food purchases. According to the bill, Any law enforcement department that employs peace officers may not authorize a television crew to film peace officers while acting in the line of duty for the purpose of creating a reality television show.. HB215, if passed, seeks to amend several sections of Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Government Code in order to effectively abolish the death penalty in Texas. It is important to note, though, that Lt. Gov. If passed, the bill seeks to amend Chapter 487 of the Texas Health and Safety Code in order to allow physicians to recommend medical cannabis use to qualified individuals, as well as establish rules and regulations regarding the licensure of dispensing organizations. If passed, HB43 seeks to amend Chapter 169 of Texas Occupations Code in order to give physicians the authority to prescribe medical cannabis (as opposed to low-THC cannabis) to patients when a physician determines that medical cannabis is a medically necessary treatment.. Each of the three bills listed above seek to amend several sections of Texas Government Code (as well as the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Family Code, Estates Code, Health and Safety Code, and Code of Criminal Procedure) in order to permit or require the attendance of a court hearing or proceeding remotely through the use of technology and the Internet..