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ATTENTION: DO YOU KNOW THE ‘NEW’ TEXAS LAWS???

Nearly 800 new Texas laws you MUST NOT ignore as of September 1st and beyond Attention, Texans! After every legislative session, the Forward Times provides our readers with a synopsis of some of the key new laws that will potentially impact them and tens of millions of other Texans. In 2021, the Forward Times reported […]
The post ATTENTION: DO YOU KNOW THE ‘NEW’ TEXAS LAWS??? first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

September 6, 2023

Forward Times Staff

Nearly 800 new Texas laws you MUST NOT ignore as of September 1st and beyond

Attention, Texans!

After every legislative session, the Forward Times provides our readers with a synopsis of some of the key new laws that will potentially impact them and tens of millions of other Texans.

In 2021, the Forward Times reported that 666 new laws had gone into effect in the state of Texas on September 1^stof that year, which included the controversial ‘permitless carry’ bill that was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Fast forward to 2023, nearly 800 new laws (774 to be exact) were signed into law coming out of the 88^th Texas Legislative Session, having gone into effect on September 1^st of this year. It is important to note that some of these new laws could potentially impact Texans from all walks of life, in a good or bad way, especially members of the African American community.

For those bills that were fortunate enough to make it through the gauntlet of committees, that got formally debated on the floors of the Texas House and Senate, and then eventually got sent to the governor’s desk for his approval and signature, some went into effect immediately. Other bills, however, went into effect on September 1^st, which is the day customarily assigned for a bill to go into effect in Texas after being signed into law by the governor. This year was no different.

Back in May, the Forward Times published an article entitled ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION? 2023 Legislative Bills That Could Harm or Help African Americans in Texas, where we highlighted key bills that the community was being asked to pay very close attention and to reach out to their respective elected officials about supporting or advocating against the bills.

Fortunately, some of the most attention-grabbing and controversial bills that we highlighted in that article failed to go to Gov. Abbott’s desk. However, several others not only made it to Gov. Abbott’s desk, but they were also signed into law and have gone into effect as of September 1^st.

Here is a list of some of key new Texas bills that have gone into effect as of September 1^st:

Do not drive drunk, cause if you do, the newly signed law, House Bill 393, requires any person who is convicted of intoxication manslaughter to make restitution payments for the support of any child whose parent or guardian became a victim of that crime.
Senate Bill 1551, authored by State Senator Royce West (D-Dallas), makes failing to provide your driver’s license or refusing to provide your name, date of birth, and address to a law enforcement official, a criminal offense, meaning you could be charged with a Class B or C misdemeanor. Again, failing to identify and show your identification can get you charged and arrested.
In what is being deemed a legislative overreach and an attack on duly-elected Democrats who are serving as district attorneys in many of the major counties across Texas, House Bill 17 now gives the courts the power to remove district attorneys from their elected offices if they choose not to pursue certain types of crimes, particularly those related to elections, marijuana possession, abortions, etc., deeming it misconduct.
Relative to schools, House Bill 3 makes having an armed officer at every school campus in Texas and mental health training for school staff that interact with children a requirement. As it relates to the armed officer, they can either be a peace officer, a school resource officer, a school marshal, or a school district employee.
One to really watch, as it relates to the safety of our children, is Senate Bill 763, which allows public schools to hire or accept volunteer chaplains to provide mental health counseling to public school students.
In a bill that the Forward Times followed and reported on from inception to it being signed by Gov. Abbott, House Bill 567 (CROWN Act, which is an acronym for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair), is now law. This law places a prohibition on natural hair discrimination for race-based hairstyles such as braids, twists, and dreadlocks, in schools, at workplaces, and relative to housing. The bill was authored by State Representative Rhetta Bowers (D-Garland), and a companion Texas Senate bill was filed by State Senator Borris Miles (D-Houston) and came about after two Black students at Barbers Hill High School, near the Greater Houston area—Kaden Bradford and De’Andre Arnold—refused to cut their hair after being threatened with punishment if they didn’t comply in 2019. Arnold faced the proposed punishment of not being able to walk on the stage as part of his high school graduation ceremony. Bradford faced the proposed punishment of being indefinitely enrolled in in-school suspension.
To help deal with massive fraud across the state of Texas, House Bill 718 was signed into law by Gov. Abbott in June, eliminating the temporary paper license plate system and replacing them with metal ones. Although it has been signed into law, it won’t officially go into effect until July 1, 2025, which will allow the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, county tax offices across Texas, and auto dealerships in the state enough time to build a new inventory and management system to handle the major change.
In every county across Texas, early voting hours must be extended on weekdays and weekends, regardless of their population, according to House Bill 1217. So, for this upcoming November 2023 election, the main early-voting locations in every respective county, will be required to open for 12 consecutive hours on the last two days of early voting, which will be Thursday and Friday. For 2024, however, the main early voting locations in each respective county must be open for 12 hours every weekday during the last week of early voting, for 12 hours on the last Saturday, and for six hours on the last Sunday, during the March primary and the November general elections.
With the signing of House Bill 898, the fines paid by drivers who don’t move over or slow down when emergency vehicles are stopped will increase, and if drivers violate and cause injury to someone, there could even be jail time.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic response, Senate Bill 29 now bans the state of Texas from implementing mask mandates, vaccine mandates, business shutdowns, and school closures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, with the exceptions being nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, and assisted living facilities.
Losing a loved one can be an emotionally taxing experience, but having a hospital make the decision on the date of your loved one’s fate is even more difficult to handle. Prior to September 1^st, hospitals in Texas had the power to remove patients from life support ten days after they provided notification to the patient’s family. Now, thanks to House Bill 3162, hospitals must provide a 25-day notice to the families of any patient they are seeking to end care for and remove from life support. This new window of time will provide family members with a chance to locate an alternative health care facility that may be willing to treat the patient, and the doctors at that hospital must perform any procedures necessary for any patient that a family wants to have transferred to that other facility. On top of that, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services Commission is requiring that hospitals track and report all instances where doctors have made the decision to withdraw life-sustaining care.
With prescription drug costs going through the roof, and negatively impacting our senior citizens, House Bill 25 will potentially address the skyrocketing medication costs under the ‘Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program’, which will allow distributors to import cheaper drugs from Canada. In short, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services Commission would contract with Canadian drug wholesalers and suppliers to allow for the distribution of safe and eligible prescription drugs to all Texans, at costs that are significantly less expensive than U.S. wholesalers. This could be a game-changer for Texans, especially senior citizens, but there are some hurdles with the full implementation of this new law, however, in that Texas is at the mercy of federal drug regulators and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
After body camera footage helped vindicate a young 18-year-old African American named Rodney “R.J.” Reese—who was arrested by police officers in Plano, TX, and made to spend the night in prison, simply for walking on the road while heading home from work to avoid the icy conditions made by Winter Storm Uri in February 2021—House Bill 1277 now allows pedestrians to walk on roadways facing oncoming traffic if sidewalks are obstructed or unsafe in any way.
For all those who own or are seeking to own an electric vehicle (EV), Senate Bill 505 is significant, in that it now requires electric vehicle owners to pay two years of registration, or $400, up front, when they purchase an EV. They must also pay an additional $200 when they register a vehicle or renew their registration. According to lawmakers, this new fee is being levied because Texas agencies estimated in a 2020 report that the state of Texas lost out on roughly $200 per year in federal and state gasoline tax dollars when a person acquired an EV versus a standard, gas-fueled vehicle.
For those who use toll roads, House Bill 2170 now requires that drivers must be notified whenever their electronic tag automatic payments are rejected, which will help avoid excessive fees and fines as a result. Each toll entity in the state of Texas must notify drivers of the rejected automatic payment immediately, either by email, mail, or text message, and it also requires that each toll entity send the outstanding invoice by mail with a clear and visible message outside the envelope stating that the bill is inside and that it must be paid.
Thanks to anti-trafficking leader Jacquelyn Aluotto, founder of NTZ Inc, and State Representative Shawn Thierry (District 146) who sponsored the bills, along with other anti-trafficking supporters, House Bill 3553 (‘No Trafficking Zone’ to colleges and universities) and House Bill 3554 (‘No Trafficking Zone’ to foster-care facilities, child-care facilities, residential treatment centers, and detention centers) are now signed into law. Under these laws, any offense is deemed a felony in the first degree, punishable from 25 years to 99 years in the Texas prison system. These laws increase the criminal penalties to a level that makes committing them a threat to predators, pimps, groomers, and traffickers. More importantly, parents, educators, shelter operators, and college students should all be informed about these two new anti-trafficking laws.
Senate Bill 17 bans the existence and creation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, programs, and training at any publicly funded colleges and universities in Texas.
As a result of Senate Bill 1442 being signed into law, the penalties for anyone taking part in illegal street racing has been significantly enhanced, while House Bill 2899 (which went into effect in June of this year) allows vehicles used in illegal street racing to be impounded for any reason.

As stated, there were many other new bills signed into law that have gone into effect as of September 1^st, and others that are slated to go into effect at a later date.

If you want to find out the bills that went to effect on September 1^st, please visit https://capitol.texas.gov/reports/Report.aspx?LegSess=88R&ID=effectivesept1.

If you want to view all of the new bills that have been signed by Gov. Abbott thus far and learn when they will take effect, please visit the Bill Effective Dates page on the Legislative Reference Library of Texas (LRL) website at: https://lrl.texas.gov/sessions/effDates/billsEffective88.cfm.

The post ATTENTION: DO YOU KNOW THE ‘NEW’ TEXAS LAWS??? appeared first on Forward Times.

The post ATTENTION: DO YOU KNOW THE ‘NEW’ TEXAS LAWS??? first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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COMMENTARY: The National Protest Must Be Accompanied with Our Votes

Just as Trump is gathering election data like having the FBI take all the election data in Georgia from the 2020 election, so must we organize in preparation for the coming primary season to have the right people on ballots in each Republican district, so that we can regain control of the House of Representatives and by doing so, restore the separation of powers and balance that our democracy is being deprived of.

Published

6 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper. File photo..

By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper

As thousands of Americans march every week in cities across this great nation, it must be remembered that the protest without the vote is of no concern to Donald Trump and his administration.

In every city, there is a personal connection to the U.S. Congress. In too many cases, the member of Congress representing the people of that city and the congressional district in which it sits, is a Republican. It is the Republicans who are giving silent support to the destructive actions of those persons like the U.S. Attorney General, the Director of Homeland Security, and the National Intelligence Director, who are carrying out the revenge campaign of the President rather than upholding the oath of office each of them took “to Defend The Constitution of the United States.”

In California, the primary comes in June 2026. The congressional races must be a priority just as much as the local election of people has been so important in keeping ICE from acquiring facilities to build more prisons around the country.

“We the People” are winning this battle, even though it might not look like it. Each of us must get involved now, right where we are.

In this Black History month, it is important to remember that all we have accomplished in this nation has been “in spite of” and not “because of.” Frederick Douglas said, “Power concedes nothing without a struggle.”

Today, the struggle is to maintain our very institutions and history. Our strength in this struggle rests in our “collectiveness.” Our newspapers and journalists are at the greatest risk. We must not personally add to the attack by ignoring those who have been our very foundation, our Black press.

Are you spending your dollars this Black History Month with those who salute and honor contributions by supporting those who tell our stories? Remember that silence is the same as consent and support for the opposition. Where do you stand and where will your dollars go?

Oakland Post

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Why Black Parents Should Consider Montessori

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — I have found that there are some educational approaches that consistently provide a safer, more enriching, and more affirmative environment for Black children. The Montessori method, developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori and introduced to the U.S. in the early 20th century, is one such approach.

Published

1 week ago

February 9, 2026

Oakland Post

By Laura Turner-Essel, PhD

As a mother of four children, I’ve done A LOT of school shopping. I don’t mean the autumn ritual of purchasing school supplies. I mean shopping for schools – pouring over promotional materials, combing through websites, asking friends and community members for referrals to their favorite schools, attending open houses and orientations, comparing curriculums and educational philosophies, meeting teachers and principals, and students who all claim that their school is the best.

But keep in mind – I’m not just a mom of four children. I’m a mom of four Black children, and I’m also a psychologist who is very interested in protecting my little ones from the traumatic experience that school can too often become.

For Black children in the United States, school can sometimes feel more like a prison than an educational institution. Research shows that Black students experience school as more hostile and demoralizing than other students do, that they are disciplined more frequently and more harshly for typical childhood offenses (such as running in the halls or chewing gum in class), that they are often labeled as deviant or viewed as deficient more quickly than other children, that teachers have lower academic expectations of Black students (which, in turn, lowers those students’ expectations of themselves), and that Black parents feel less respected and less engaged by their children’s teachers and school administrators. Perhaps these are some of the underlying reasons that Black students tend to underperform in most schools across the country.

The truth is that schools are more than academic institutions. They are places where children go to gain a sense of who they are, how they relate to others, and where they fit into the world. The best schools are places that answer these questions positively – ‘you are a valuable human being, you are a person who will grow up to contribute great things to your community, and you belong here, with us, exploring the world and learning how to use your gifts.’ Unfortunately, Black children looking for answers to these universal questions of childhood will often hit a brick wall once they walk into the classroom. If the curriculum does not reflect their cultural experiences, the teachers don’t appear to value them, and they spend most of their time being shamed into compliance rather than guided towards their highest potential, well…what can we really expect? How are they supposed to master basic academic skills if their spirits have been crushed?

Here’s the good news. In my years of school shopping, and in the research of Black education specialists such as Jawanza Kunjufu and Amos Wilson, I have found that there are some educational approaches that consistently provide a safer, more enriching, and more affirmative environment for Black children. The Montessori method, developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori and introduced to the U.S. in the early 20th century, is one such approach.

The key feature of Montessori schooling is that children decide (for the most part) what they want to do each day. Led by their own interests and skill levels, children in a Montessori classroom move around freely and work independently or with others on tasks of their own

choosing. The classroom is intentionally stocked with materials tailored to the developmental needs of children, including the need to learn through different senses (sight, touch/texture, movement, etc.). The teacher in a Montessori classroom is less like a boss and more like a caring guide who works with each child individually, demonstrating various activities and then giving them space to try it on their own. The idea is that over time, students learn to master even the toughest tasks and concepts, and they feel an intense sense of pride and accomplishment because they did it by themselves, without pressure or pushing.

I think that this aspect of the Montessori method is good for all kids. Do you remember the feeling of having your creativity or motivation crushed by being told exactly what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and why? The truth is that when presented with a new challenge and then given space, children actually accomplish a lot! They are born with a natural desire to learn. It is that spirit of curiosity, sense of wonder, and excitement to explore that Montessori helps to keep alive in a child. But that’s not the only reason that I think Black parents need to consider Montessori.

Fostering a love of learning is great. But more importantly, I think that Montessori students excel at learning to love. It begins with Montessori’s acknowledgement that all children are precious because childhood is a precious time. In many school systems, Black children are treated like miniature adults (at best) or miniature criminals (at worst), and are subjected to stressful situations that no kids are equipped to handle – expectations to be still and silent for long periods, competitive and high-stakes testing, and punitive classroom discipline. It’s easy to get the sense that rather than being prepared for college or careers, our children are being prepared to fail. Couple this with the aforementioned bias against Black children that seems to run rampant within the U.S. school system, and you end up with children who feel burned out and bitter about school by the time they hit 3rd grade.

In my experience, Montessori does a better job of protecting the space that is childhood – and all the joy of discovery and learning that should come along with that. Without the requirement that students “sit down and shut up,” behavioral issues in Montessori classrooms tend to be non-existent (or at least, the Montessori method doesn’t harp on them; children are gently redirected rather than shamed in front of the class). Montessori students don’t learn for the sake of tests; they demonstrate what they’ve learned by sharing with their teacher or classmates how they solve real-world problems using the skills they’ve gained through reading, math, or science activities. And by allowing children a choice of what to focus on throughout the day, Montessori teachers demonstrate that they honor and trust children’s natural intelligence. The individualized, careful attention they provide indicates to children that they are each seen, heard, and valued for who they are, and who they might become. Now that’s love (and good education).

As a parent, I’ve come to realize that many schools offer high-quality academics. Montessori is no different. Students in Montessori schools gain exposure to advanced concepts and the materials to work with these concepts hands-on. Across the nation, Montessori schools emphasize early literacy development, an especially important indicator of life success for young Black boys and men. Montessori students are provided with the opportunity to be

successful every day, and the chance to develop a sense of competence and self-worth based on completing tasks at their own pace.

But I have also learned that the important questions to ask when school shopping are often not about academics at all. I now ask, ‘Will my children be treated kindly? Will they be listened to? Protected from bias and bullying? Will they feel safe? Will this precious time in their lives be honored as a space for growth, development, awe, and excitement? Will they get to see people like them included in the curriculum? Will they be seen as valuable even if they don’t always ‘measure up’ to other kids on a task? Will they get extra support if they need it? Will the school include me in major decisions? Will the school leaders help to make sure that my children reach their fullest potential? Will the teacher care about my children almost as much as I do?’

Consistently, it’s been the Montessori schools that have answered with a loud, resounding ‘Yes!’ That is why my children ended up in Montessori schools, and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. If you’re a parent like me, shopping for schools with the same questions in mind, I’d urge you to consider Montessori education as a viable option for your precious little ones. Today more than ever, getting it right for our children is priceless.

Oakland Post

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LIVE from the NMA Convention Raheem DeVaughn Says The Time Is Now: Let’s End HIV in Our Communities #2

Set against the backdrop of the NMA conference, Executive Officers from the National Medical Association, Grammy Award Winning Artist and Advocate Raheem DeVaughn, and Gilead Sciences experts, are holding today an important conversation on HIV prevention and health equity. Black women continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV despite advances in prevention options. Today’s event […]

Published

2 weeks ago

February 3, 2026

Oakland Post

Black women continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV despite advances in prevention options. Today’s event is designed to uplift voices, explore barriers to access, and increase awareness and key updates about PrEP, a proven prevention method that remains underutilized among Black women. This timely gathering will feature voices from across health, media, and advocacy as we break stigma and center equity in HIV prevention.

Additional stats and information to know:

● Black women continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, with Black women representing more than 50% of new HIV diagnoses among women in the U.S. in 2022, despite comprising just 13% of women in the U.S.

● Women made up only 8% of PrEP users despite representing 19% of all new HIV diagnoses in 2022.

● Gilead Sciences is increasing awareness and addressing stigma by encouraging regular HIV testing and having judgment-free conversations with your healthcare provider about prevention options, including oral PrEP and long-acting injectable PrEP options.