The 88th Texas Legislature continues to change the power cities hold with House Bill 1819 set to go into effect Sept. 1, prohibiting cities from enacting or upholding juvenile curfew ordinances.
"HB 1819 seeks to ensure that all young Texans have opportunities to succeed without the burden of a criminal record early in life by eliminating the authority of political subdivisions to adopt or enforce juvenile curfews," reads the bill analysis.
In response, the San Marcos City Council approved an ordinance, the first of two readings, Aug. 1 to repeal the juvenile curfew for those between the ages of 10-17 within city limits.
How we got here
The City Council readopted the juvenile curfew ordinance in December after opposition from the community. Opponents of the ordinance called the curfew "discriminatory" and "not effective," as previously reported by Community Impact.
Those ages 10-17 were subject to the curfew ordinance between:
- 11 p.m.-6 a.m. Sunday-Thursday
- Midnight-6 a.m. Friday-Saturday
- 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
What's next?
The City Council will have the second reading of the ordinance to repeal the curfew at its upcoming meeting Aug. 15; the ordinance will go into effect immediately thereafter.
