New Texas laws in effect September 1, 2025: Marijuana, schools, crimes

HOUSTON - Hundreds of new laws will go into effect on September 1. 

Here's a look at just a fraction of the new laws, including ones that will expand the definitions of certain crimes and other laws that will impact students and their families.

Dig deeper:

Click here to see all 835 bills that take effect in September.

Audrii's Law

Under House Bill 2000, also known as Audrii's Law, any person convicted of child grooming must register as a sex offender. Convictions such as enticing a child will now fall under the offense of child grooming.

Ten Commandments in classrooms

Senate Bill 10 requires schools to post a "durable poster or framed copy" of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom.

The display needs to be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall and "in a size and typeface that is legible to a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom."

The bill mandates that schools that do not have posters that meet the requirements to accept donations or use public funds to replace them.

However, the future of the law is in limbo after a federal judge temporarily blocked the law in August.

Prayer in schools

Senate Bill 11 allows Texas public schools to adopt a policy to allow students and employees to participate in a voluntary daily period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts.

Parents can restrict school library materials

Senate Bill 13 allows parents to control what materials their children have access to in school libraries. It also establishes an advisory council to aid a district board of trustees in making decisions on material allowed in school libraries.

DEI and sexual orientation teachings

Senate Bill 12 bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices and restricts teachings about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools. It also makes changes to the process for public school transfers and the process for parent complaints with the district.

The Uvalde Strong Act

HB 33, also called "The Uvalde Strong Act," is intended to fix some issues in police training that may have contributed to the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. It aims to better train officers and enhance agency coordination in hopes of preventing comparable shootings in the future.

It requires officers and school officials to meet annually for active shooter response plan development. It also increases officer training specifically for school shooter responses at primary and secondary school campuses.

Medical marijuana expansion

House Bill 46 expands the state's compassionate use program to include traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain, Crohn's disease and terminal illnesses to the list of qualifying conditions. The expansion allows for new changes in how THC can be delivered by approving aerosol and vapor products, like vape pens. It also increases the number of dispensers in the state.

"Move Over, Slow Down"

SB 305 expands the list of vehicles that drivers are required to "Move Over, Slow Down" for to include vehicles operated by someone issuing parking citations or a vehicle driven by an authorized person who is removing an animal or animal remains from the road. Drivers must move over one lane or slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit when driving by certain vehicles on the side of the road.

Child endangerment for fentanyl exposure

HB 166 expands child endangerment to include anyone who manufactures, possesses or introduces into anyone’s body fentanyl and certain other opiates in Penalty Group 1-B in the presence of a child or elderly or disabled individual. It also applies to anyone who makes these drugs accessible to a child or elderly or disabled individual if they test possible for the substance.

HOA green lawn rules

HB 517 prevents a property owners’ association from fining a property owner for not planting or maintaining green plants and grass when the property is under a residential watering restriction that could result in brown vegetation. It stays in effect for 60 days after the restriction is lifted.

Enhanced penalty for intoxication manslaughter

SB 745 changes intoxication manslaughter from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony if it is shown that someone caused the death of more than one person during the same incident.

Trey’s Law: Sexual abuse & NDAs

Senate Bill 835, known as Trey's Law, makes nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements void if they would prevent someone from disclosing sexual abuse or information about the sexual abuse of another person.

Pancho’s Law: Animal cruelty by negligence

House Bill 285, known as Pancho’s Law, adds criminal negligence as a way someone could commit cruelty to nonlivestock animals, or pets.

Gift card tampering

Senate Bill 1809 creates the offense of fraudulent use, possession, or tampering with a gift card, gift card packaging, or gift card data or redemption information.

Targeting organized retail theft

SB 1300 targets organized retail theft by expanding the definition of and increasing penalties for the offense. The offense now includes anyone who steals merchandise, money or other property from a merchant more than once in a 180-day period or while working with one or more other people. It also includes those who knowingly benefited from the theft when it was committed by another person or knowingly worked with someone else to overwhelm security in order to commit the theft and avoid detection or apprehension. It also increases penalties.

Mental health access for first responders

House Bill 35 aims to enhance mental health access for first responders. It requires the Texas Department of Emergency Management to establish a first responder peer network for fire and EMS personnel by March 31, 2026. It also includes protections for first responders to ensure that their participation remains confidential and that they can’t be punished for using the services.