Westlake Forest September 2017

When it needs more than a band-aid,
Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room?
Did you know a visit to the ER can cost as much as five times
more than a visit to Excel Urgent Care, for the same problem?
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VS.
Sprains
Minor Lacerations
Cold, Flu, Fever
Occupational Medicine
Lab & Drug Screen (on site)
X-Ray
Emergency
Room
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855-EXCEL-UC
www.excelurgentcare.com
Serving Cypress, Missouri City & Katy Areas
Open Everyday 9am - 9pm No appointment needed.
Save time and money at...
19450 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77094
281-829-9900
Amnesty for Sex Assault Witnesses
Students who witness and report a sexual assault while they are
involved in illegal activity, such as drinking, would be given amnesty.
Recording Higher Ed Sex Assaults Electronically
Effective immediately, this law will allow college employees and
students to submit electronic and anonymous reports of sexual
assaults to their institutions.
Ridesharing Returns
Last year some ridesharing companies, like Uber and Lyft,
were mandated to fingerprint drivers before they could pick up
customers in their cities. Effective immediately, this new law,
bans cities from enforcing similar measures on these types of
ridesharing companies.
Cheaper to Carry a Gun
Effective September 1 st the fees for carrying a gun in Texas are
now cheaper under Senate Bill 16. The law lowers fees for a firsttime
license to carry a handgun from $140 to $40 and the renewal
fee is also reduced from $70 to $40.
Be Careful Where You Fly your Drone
Effective September 1 st the state has banned unmanned aircraft, like
drones, over correctional and United States Immigration, Customs
Enforcement detention facilities and large sports venues. Exceptions
include unmanned aircraft authorized by a law enforcement agency
or with the permission of the operator of the sports venue.
David’s Law
The new state law on cyber bullying makes it a Class A misdemeanor
to harass or cyberbully someone under age of 18 through text
messages, social media, websites or other means with the intent
to cause them to commit suicide or harm to themselves.
Voter ID changes
If don’t have a valid photo id, voters will be able to cast their
ballots if they show some other documentation with their name
and home address (Bank statement or Utility bill). Voters would
also need to sign an affidavit saying there is a good reason they
don’t have a valid photo ID.
No More Straight-Ticket Voting
Straight ticket voting is out! Voters will no longer be allowed to
cast their ballot for an entire slate of Republican or Democratic
candidates. You will now have to vote for each candidate individually.
Lottery Winners
Effective September 1 st . Individuals who win prizes of at least $1
million can choose to remain anonymous and prohibit the release
of all personal information to the public.
Civil Protections for Good Samaritans
Effective September 1 st a new law protects good Samaritans
from civil lawsuits if they break in a vehicle if they have reason
to belief the person is in imminent harm, has first notified 911,
uses appropriate amount of force and remains with the individual
in a safe location. This replaces current law that leaves good
Samaritan open to civil suits.
No More Suspensions for Young Students
Effective immediately. Schools can no longer suspend students
below third grade. Instead public schools need to discipline
children in a way that enforces positive behavior.
More Frequent Background Checks for College Referees
Effective September 1 st sport officials registered with the UIL will
have to undergo criminal background checks every three years
instead of just one.
Help for Relatives Caring for Abused Children
The state will now pay $350 a month to families caring for abused
or neglected children they are related to. Currently the state pays
families $1,000 initially and $500 a year.
Attacking Police Officers is Now Officially a Hate Crime
If a person attacks a former or current law enforcement officer
they could be found guilty of committing a crime. The change puts
crimes against law enforcement in the same category as crimes
based on a person’s race, color, disability, religion, national origin,
age, gender or sexual preference.
20 Westlake | September 2017