New laws take effect today across Texas that will effect the way many drive and enact tougher penalties on looters and vandals.
Some of the laws passed by the Legislature that garnered a lot of attention include changes to the child restraint requirements, banning the use of cell phones in all school zones, requiring all passengers in a vehicle to wear a seat belt and increasing the number of hours required for driver education for teenagers.
Graffiti vandals will now face stiffer penalties. Those convicted will have to fully reimburse the property owner for damages and perform community service.
Persons convicted of credit card abuse, fraud or identity theft in a case where the victim is over 65 will face up to 10 years in prison.
Tougher penalties were also approved in the wake of looting after Hurricane Ike for thefts or burglaries committed in an evacuation area or an area that is considered in a state of disaster.
Penalties for dog fighting have also been elevated and it is now illegal to possess or own dog fighting equipment.
Convicted sex offenders face new restrictions on internet use and must provide registrars with information about the email addresses they use.
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