Overview

• More than 800 statutes take effect September 1, spanning education, public safety, health policy and criminal law.
• Public schools face an extended ban on DEI policies, restrictions on instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation, and limits on considering race, ethnicity or gender identity in hiring.
• The Ten Commandments display requirement is in legal limbo after a judge blocked it for some districts, with Plano ISD among those unable to post the displays.
• Texas expands its medical marijuana program under HB46 by adding chronic pain, traumatic brain injury and Crohn’s disease as qualifying conditions and by increasing licensed dispensaries to 15.
• Retail sales of vapes containing cannabinoids become a crime under SB2024 with penalties of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine, while cities are barred from using public funds to help residents travel for abortions.