By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-984606.mp3
Dallas, TX – Hundreds of new state laws passed by the 2011 Legislature take effect today. KERA's BJ Austin reports on a few of them.
Among the high profile laws in effect today, the requirement for a sonogram before an abortion. But a federal judge struck down part of that - the mandated doctor's description of the sonogram to the patient required to listen.
Sexting by a minor sharing a sexually explicit photo or message via cell phone is now a crime. Tim Carroll with the Allen School District says if teenagers get caught at school they face two types of punishment.
Carroll: If a student is caught with any kind of sexting material on their phone in school, they would have school consequences but we would also, under the new law, have to contact the legal authorities.
Sexting by a minor is a misdemeanor that can carry jail time for repeat offenders. Underage Texans convicted of sexting must take a state sponsored educational class on its dangers WITH a parent.
Texans may now drive faster after sundown. The slower "nighttime" speed limit is a thing of the past. Signs start coming down today.
In an effort to cut down on frivolous civil lawsuits in Texas, the Legislature passed the "loser pays" bill. But Dallas attorney Tom Melsheimer says it's not the broad loser pays system seen in English Courts. He says it's much more limited.
Melsheimer: The good news is, at least from the terms of fairness, is that it applies to both sides. If a case is sought to be dismissed by a defendant early on and the judge grants it the defendant can get their fees. But if the defendant seeks to dismiss a case and loses, the plaintiff can recover their fees fighting the motion to dismiss.
Melsheimer says this loser pays law should not discourage people with legitimate claims from filing a civil suit.
Legal gun owners may now store their weapons and ammo in their cars parked in their workplace lots during business hours. Hunters may shoot feral hogs from a helicopter. And catfish lovers, with a valid fishing license, may now legally "noodle" or catch catfish with their hands.