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1. New Laws Set To Go Into
Effect In Texas
House Bill 1774 – Windstorm Insurance Lawsuit
Restrictions
This bill essentially reduces the ability of claimants to
sue insurers. Furthermore, it also cuts penalty fees for
late payments that have been levied against
companies. Many people claim it has less to do with
frivolous lawsuits, even though the initial claim it that it
does. There are those who have fallen victim to the
devastation of Hurricane Harvey who have since
spoken out against this bill.
House Bill 62 – Texting While Driving Ban
No driver may use an electronic device to read or send
text messages while their vehicle is in motion.
Senate Bill 4 – Proof of Citizenship

2. Major portions of this bill have since been blocked by a
district judge, meaning it will not go into effect as
planned. Initially, police officers would have been
allowed to ask anyone for proof of their citizenship for
anyone that they detain, even during a normal traffic
stop. Furthermore, local law enforcement would have
been forced to comply with federal immigration officials
and their requests.
Senate Bill 8 – Burying Fetal Remains and Banning
D&E Abortion
This bill has since been temporarily blocked from taking
effect. Initially, it would have forced both abortion
providers and patients to either bury or cremate
embryonic and fetal remains, as well as ban D&E,
which is considered by many medical professionals to
be the most common and safest type of second-
trimester abortion, with no exceptions provided for
either incest or rape. The law would also have
prohibited donating aborted fetal tissue to medical
research.
House Bill 478 – Protecting Good Samaritans
This bill offers civil liability protections for individuals
who break into a car to save either a child or disabled
individual.
Senate Bill 1566 – Preventing Lunch Shaming
This bill allows parents to have extra time to come up
with money to pay for their child’s school lunches if they
run out of funds so that their child never has to go
hungry.

3. Senate Bill 968 – Easier Reporting of Campus Sexual
Assault
Schools and colleges are now required to provide
anonymous electronic reporting for those who have
become victims of sexual assault.
Senate Bill 179 – Anti-Cyberbullying
Those found to be engaging in this activity against
anyone under the age of 18 will be charged with a class
A misdemeanor. Schools will also be required to
intervene and report cases of cyberbullying, and
parents will also be allowed to temporarily stop bullying
social media accounts.
House Bill 59 – Anonymous Lottery Winners
Those who win at least $1 million playing the lottery
can prevent their personal information from being
released to the media and the public.
Senate Bill 16 – Cheaper Handgun License Fees
The fees to own a handgun drop to $40 from $140,
while the annual renewal fees drop to $40 from $70.
House Bill 1935 – Open Carry of More Knives
Citizens may now openly carry knives and other blades
longer than 5.5 inches. This may not be done in bars,
hospitals, prisons, schools, amusement parks, and
various places of worship.
House Bill 2908 – Attacks on Peace Officers Now a
Hate Crime
Those found guilty of this face a second-degree felony
and/or a prison sentence of up to 20 years. If the crime
results in serious bodily injury, it will be a first-degree

4. felony, as well as a possible sentence of up to 99 years
or life in prison.
Senate Bill 1849 – Unlawful Stop and Search
This bill is designed to stop groundless traffic stops and
focuses more on mental health care access. It has
since been spoken out against by the family of Sandra
Bland, who passed away in a Texas jail after being
arrested.
House Bills 1424 & 1643 – Limiting Drone Fly Zones
This bill prohibits drones being flown over jails, oil/gas
drills, sporting facilities, and feedlots.
House Bill 280 – Protecting Medical Staff from Attacks
This bill offers a grant program to help fund both
avoidance and risk reduction in terms of medical staff
being attacked by patients.
House Bill 3859 – Child Welfare Providers’ Religious
Liberties
Essentially gives a welfare provider the right to
discriminate against potential foster parents on the
grounds of religion, sexual orientation, gender identity,
etc. Additionally, the welfare provider may also deny
aid to a youth in their care if it violates the provider’s
religious beliefs.
Thank you for checking out Gabriella Young’s blog,
an Austin criminal defense attorney. We strive to keep
you up to date on local laws and events in Austin.