Here are 8 Compelling Texas Laws That Go Into Effect on Sept 1

August is quickly drawing to a close, and in Texas, that means a slew of new laws will be enacted beginning the first of September. 774 new laws passed by the Texas Legislature will go into effect. Many of these laws won't change much in your daily lives, but a few may.

Here's a look at some of those that may have some wide impacts on residents of Texas.

House Bill 114

This one had been getting a lot of publicity as the start of the school year approached. It basically addresses the usage of e-cigarettes, vaping, marijuana, and THC-related products at, or near schools and school functions.

The new law mandates that any student found in possession of, under the influence of, selling, gifting, or delivering any of these substances within a 300-feet radius of any school premises, will be immediately removed and placed in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP).

In talking off the record to several teachers, many educators wonder if there will be enough room at DAEP facilities.

House Bill 3

Staying with the subject of new laws concerning schools, this bill includes the requirement that districts have at least one armed security officer per campus. Exceptions are allowed due to funding issues, but districts must come up with an alternative plan that may involve a school marshal or other armed staff member.

House Bill 3 also increased the per-student safety allotment and districts will receive $15,000 per campus to implement safety measures.  Plus, most school staffers are required to complete mental health training.

Senate Bill 838 (Bonus)

Wait...here's one more involving school safety. Every classroom will now be required to have a panic alert device of some sort, however, this will not be mandatory until the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Senate Bill 29

During the height of the COVID outbreak a couple of years ago, a contentious and public battle played out over and over between the Texas government and numerous county and city officials and school districts. This new law prohibits local governments from requiring COVID-related masks, vaccines, or business or school shutdowns. The law does not restrict pandemic rules by private entities

Senate Bill 505

House Bill 900

Let's go back to one for the schools, specifically, the school libraries. This bill that was passed in April bans sexually explicit materials. Those books rated with sexually explicit materials will be taken off school shelves. Other books that may not be explicit, but may have references to sex, could remain in school libraries and be checked out by students with the permission of their parents.

Senate Bill 490

Call this one the medical transparency law, if you'd like. If you have ever gone to the emergency room or required surgery or a hospital stay, your medical statement may have been like trying to read the IRS code.

This new law will make Texas hospitals and other healthcare providers give patients an itemized medical invoice before any attempts to collect money. No more shrouded or hard-to-understand items or costs is the intent of this law.

These are just a few of the 774 new laws going into effect on September 1. Feel free to browse through all of them in the button below.