On Sunday, September 1, a bevy of new laws went into effect in Texas. The Texas Legislature passed over 800 laws during the 2019 session that range from less restrictions on open carry rules to the repeal of the state's Driver Responsibility Program.
Among the hundreds of new rules, a few others of note include laws that raise the legal smoking age raised from 18 to 21 years old; prohibit state and local governments from partnering with health care organizations that perform abortions; ban the use of fake numbers by telemarketers; prohibit the shackling of female inmates in state prisons; protect Texans against surprise medical bills; allow women to pump breast milk anywhere; and increase penalties for stealing a package from someone else's porch.
What other laws went into effect and how could they affect you? Where can you find a comprehensive list of the new Texas laws?
Guest: Matthew Watkins, politics news editor for The Texas Tribune
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*This interview was recorded on Wednesday, September 4.
