The amount of the hospitals charges for services provided to the injured individual during the first 100 days of the injured individuals hospitalization; or. SB435 & HB2271 both seek to amend Subchapter C, Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code in order to add a section on Texas Pandemic Response Plan.. If passed, HB88 (known as the George Floyd Act) seeks to address qualified immunity for police officers by allowing civil lawsuits at the state level for deprivation of rights under color of law, require the use of de-escalation tactics, require officers to intervene if another officer is using excessive force, require officers to provide aid immediately to any person who needs medical attention (including as a result of the use of force), to further define when and why police officers can use nonlethal and lethal force, to ban chokeholds, as well as prevent arrests for misdemeanor fine-only offenses. If passed, HB1490 seeks to amend Chapter 311, Subchapter A of Texas Health and Safety Code to state that hospitals in Texas shall disclose the hospitals cash price for each health care service regularly provided by the hospital. This disclosure must be made by posting the prices on the hospitals website (or in writing on request if the hospital does not have a website). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A serious injury or death in the family can turn everything inside out. The annual $50 fee will be deposited into the state highway fund. Additionally, HB2687 seeks to require a power generation company operating in the ERCOT power region to weatherize the companys generation facilities and associated equipment on an annual basis. Set a maximum speed of 15 mph for standing scooters (or 20 mph for seated scooters). License Changes. Consume alcoholic beverages on the businesss premises; or. The money placed in a minors savings account, trust account, or trust subaccount may not be withdrawn, removed, paid out, or transferred to any person, including the minor, except pursuant to a court order, on the minors 18th birthday, or upon the minors death. If passed, each of the bills listed above seek to amend Chapter 28 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code in order to make these changes permanent. If you were convicted of a DWI, your license can be suspended: For up to 2 years, if you are 21 years old or older. The bills also prohibit members, officers, or employees of the commission, the department, or a betting operation from placing any sports bets at all, as well as prohibiting any competitor, coach, trainer, employee, or owner of a team in a sports event, or any referee for a sports event, from placing a bet on one of their events. HJR52 seeks to change this by amending Article III of the Texas Constitution to state that the Texas Legislature shall meet every year. If passed, SB1012 & HB3138 both seek to require electric providers to obtain a residential customers express consent before enrolling them in a variable rate energy plan. The bill states that A peace officer may not intentionally use a choke hold, carotid artery hold, or similar neck restraint in searching or arresting a person unless the restraint is necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to or the death of the officer or another person.. 0:00. HB1793 seeks to amend Title 10 of Texas Insurance Code in order to prohibit auto insurance companies from obtaining oral releases for claims arising out of property damage or an injury for which an insurer may be liable under an automobile insurance policy. While unlikely, if HB1359 (AKA the Texas Independence Referendum Act) is passed, the 11/02/2021 ballot would include the following nonbinding referendum question: Should the legislature of the State of Texas submit a plan for leaving the United States of America and establishing an independent republic?. The bill also seeks to amend Section 481.111 of Texas Health and Safety Code to exempt pharmacists, patients, and cultivators from provisions of this chapter relating to the possession, distribution and delivery of medical cannabis. Conduct a hearing or other proceeding as a remote proceeding without the consent of the parties (unless the United States Constitution or Texas Constitution requires consent); Allow or require a judge, party, attorney, witness, court reporter, juror, or any other individual to participate in a remote proceeding, including a deposition, hearing, trial, or other proceeding. According to HB1121, any excess revenue made by the department (exceeding the expenses necessary to operate the platform) shall be deposited to the credit of the foundation school fund. If approved, this holiday would fall on the 16th day of April (her birthday). Reinstatement fees can be paid in person, unless your suspension paperwork gives directions on how to pay by mail or phone. Arnold Schwarzenegger before it becomes law. Intimidating, coercing, or threatening a beneficiary or claimant to induce them to use a particular repair person or facility. If such a local option election does legalize the sale of liquor on Sundays, holders of package store permits in said area may sell, offer for sale, or deliver liquor on Sunday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Holders of wholesalers permits may sell, offer for sale, or deliver liquor to a retailer anytime on Sunday, and holders of local distributors permits may sell, offer for sale, or deliver liquor to a retailer on Sunday between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Texas blue laws currently state that alcohol retailers may not sell beer or wine for off-premise consumption on Sundays between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and noon. Under current Texas law, in order for an accident victim to recover compensation through their uninsured or under-insured auto insurance policy, there must first be a judgment or other legal determination establishing the other motorists liability or the extent of the insureds damages. Vehicle registration suspended for driving without insurance. Both HB94 and SB90 seek to allow the use of medical marijuana for patients with debilitating medical conditions, while SB250 seeks to allow the use of medical marijuana for patients for whom a physician determines medical use is the best available treatment.. On October 1, 2021, new laws went into effect that change when your driver's license can be suspended. 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 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. If passed, HB1519 seeks to remove this restriction entirely. By Jackeline Luna , Maggie Beidelman. Each of the above proposed bills seek to amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure in order to add a policy requiring law enforcement officers in the state to intervene in order to prevent another peace officer from using excessive force. According to HB3248, a 10% tax would be imposed on each sale in this state of cannabis and cannabis products. HB1980 also seeks to outlaw nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements which prohibit an employee from disclosing to any person, including during any related investigation, prosecution, legal proceeding, or dispute resolution, facts surrounding any sexual assault or sexual harassment committed by an employee of the employer or at the employees place of employment, including the identity of the alleged offender. The court may authorize this only if the presence of the dog or animal will assist the witness in providing testimony, the party petitioning for the order provides proof of liability insurance coverage in effect for the dog or animal, and the party petitions the court no later than the 14th day before the date of the court proceeding. $999. If passed, they would legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana (2.5 ounces) for people 21 and over, while establishing the framework for a retail cannabis industry in Texas. If passed, HB808 seeks to amend Chapter 11 of the Texas Education Code to permit school districts to similarly adopt a policy allowing the sale and consumption of alcohol beverages at a sporting or athletic event held at a stadium or other athletic facility owned by the districtif certain additional conditions are met. Now passed, this law will take effect on 01/01/2022. 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. For 1 year, if you are under 21 years old and: An additional 180 days, if you don't complete an Alcohol Education Program. Before discharging the firearm, the officer has exhausted all other reasonable means of mitigating or preventing the deadly force by the driver or has determined that other means of mitigating or preventing the deadly force would be inappropriate under the circumstances. This constitutional amendment would also authorize the legislature to enact a law based on the results of the referendum. Require that motor vehicles move to another lane (if available) to pass bicycle riders on a roadway. 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. Contractor or employee performing job duties relating to the installation, operation, or maintenance of said video recording equipment. In order to meet compliance, operators of these establishments would be required to have all employees complete said training program on an annual basis. While many people dont know this, digital license plates are already allowed under Texas lawjust not for passenger vehicles. Currently, such hospital liens may not exceed: If passed, HB2064 would also add that such hospital liens may not exceed the amount awarded by the trier of fact for the services provided to the injured individual by the hospital, less the pro rata share of attorneys fees and expenses the injured individual incurred in pursuing the claim.. HB1071 seeks to allow any party to an action filed in a court in this state to petition the court to authorize a qualified facility dog or qualified therapy animal to be present with a witness who is testifying before the court. In a clear knee-jerk reaction to the revelation that Mark Cuban decided not to have the national anthem played prior to the first 11 Dallas Mavericks regular season home games this season (a decision which has already been reversed), Lt. Gov. likely played a role in the crash. BothHB393 & SB592 seek to amend Chapter 47 of the Texas Penal Code to expand upon exceptions to the definition of a gambling bet for purposes of criminal offenses. Both SB438 & HB1992, if passed, seek to amend Section 151.3565(b) of Texas Tax Code in order to list face masks, disposable gloves, and disinfectant cleaning supplies as emergency preparation items in order to exempt them from sales and use taxes during Texas Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday (which begins at 12:01 a.m. April 25 and ends at midnight April 27). 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.. If passed, the bill would add language requiring tolls to be removed once the costs of acquisition and construction of the project have been paid. 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). The chief election official of each member state shall then determine the number of votes, and add such votes together to produce a national popular vote total for each presidential slate. Histotechnology is the science of detecting tissue abnormalities that indicate diseases such as cancer. 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). The report must include: If passed, SB747 seeks to amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure in order to state that each law enforcement agency in the state shall adopt a policy prohibiting a peace officer of the agency from using a chemical device against a person younger than 18 years of age. The operator of the bicycle or motorcycle must come to a full and complete stop at the intersection, exercise due care as provided law, and may only proceed through the intersection when it is safe to do so. Mailing Address: Texas Department of Public Safety Central Cash Receiving P.O. The bill seeks to establish basic guidelines, outline responsibilities, insurance requirements, record retention policies, and more. Similarly, HB3918 seeks to require that all motor vehicle mufflers not emit a sound of more than 95 decibels, measured 20 inches from the tailpipe, while the vehicle is operating in neutral between 3,000 and 5,000 RPM. If passed, SB70 would require every peace officer to submit a detailed report to their law enforcement agency regarding each incident in which the officer uses force, or witnesses another officer use force, against a person suspected of committing an offense. 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. Supporters of the bill said that removing the straight-ticket voting option forces voters to make more informed decisions in individual elections, but opponents claim the legislation disproportionately impacts minority voters. These daycare facilities shall retain all recorded video required by this act for at least 30 days after the date the video is recorded. See our Carry of Firearms page for more info on this new law. If enacted, HB552 would modify Section 601.072(a-1)(3) of the Texas Transportation Code to specify that any diminution of value (diminished value) as the result of a crash must be included when assessing the property damage portion of a motor vehicle accident claim. Both SB207 & HB1617 seek to amend Section 41.0105 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code to provide additional limits on recovering economic damages (e.g., medical expenses) in civil cases. If passed, the bills would require the division to prepare and keep current a pandemic response plan, include provisions for: If passed, each of the bills listed above seek to amend Section 62.051 of the Texas Labor Code to raise the minimum wage in Texas. If passed, HB3481 seeks to add Rosa Parks Day as an official state recognition day in order to honor Rosa Louise McCauley Parks for her courageous act of refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to protest segregation which helped launch the civil rights movement in the United States. If approved, Rosa Parks Day would fall on the 1st day of December. If passed, SB419 seeks to again increase this limit from $20,000 to $50,000. If passed, a bet under Texas law will not include any offer of a prize, award, or compensation to the participants in a fantasy or simulated game or contest which is determined by the accumulated statistical performances of the individual athletes on a participants fictional sports team.. Driver's license suspensions will continue, but under the new law, a person would only have their license suspended if they had three or more traffic tickets in a year, or four within two. 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. 512.463.3208 . These signs read Please Dont Drink and Drive followed by In Memory Of and the name(s) of the victim(s). SB 112 simply seeks to change a reasonable suspicion to probable cause to believe (a higher standard). If passed, HB95 and SB72 would require each law enforcement agency in Texas to adopt a policy which prohibits a peace officer from discharging a firearm at or in the direction of a moving vehicle unless the peace officer discharges the firearm only when and to the degree the officer reasonably believes is immediately necessary to protect the officer or another person from the use of unlawful deadly force by an occupant of the vehicle by means other than by using the moving vehicle to strike any person.. Since this time, the noneconomic damages portion of a victims claim have been limited to an amount not to exceed $250,000regardless of whether or not the plaintiff was awarded more in court. The bill would amend Chapter 1952 of the Texas Insurance Code to (among other things) restrict insurers and adjusters from: HB1119 seeks to amend Chapter 601 of the Texas Transportation Code to establish the Texas Uninsured Vehicle Enforcement Program, which would use automatic license plate reader systems to help law enforcement agencies identify uninsured motor vehicles. No-Win No-Fee | Free Consultations. The bill would also require that these vehicles display a distinctive insignia (issued by the department) on the windshield for validation of that authorization. If passed, SB680 seeks amend Section 17.46, Business & Commerce Code (deceptive trade practices) in order to define electricity as a necessity, as well as to outlaw the exorbitant or excessive pricing of electricity during a declared disaster. HB1837 & SB2141 both seek to amend Chapter 2 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure in order address (and prevent) motorcycle profiling by law enforcement officers. The amount paid, the amount that would have been paid, or the amount likely to be paid for the medical or health care services by a health benefit plan, workers compensation insurance, an employer-provided plan, Medicaid, Medicare, or another similar source available. Carneys body was tested for the presence of drugs and alcohol, but the motorist involved in the accident was not. Rudolph W. Giuliani, a former top federal prosecutor, New York City mayor and lawyer to a president, had his law license suspended after a New York court ruled on Thursday that he . The force used is proportionate to the threat posed and to the seriousness of the alleged offense; The force used does not present a serious risk of injury to any person other than the actor or the person against whom the force is used; and. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); CALL OR TEXT MONTGOMERY LAW 24/7 AT (214) 720-6090 The amount billed by the medical or health care provider. Among other things, the bills (if passed) would allow a court to: If passed, both SB209 & HB1980 seek to outlaw nondisclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, or other agreements between an employer and employee which prohibit the reporting of sexual assault and sexual harassment to local or state law enforcement agencies or any state or federal regulatory agency.