Curfew Laws In Texas 2026: What You Need To Know

Texas made a major change to its curfew laws in 2023. Cities and counties can no longer enforce curfews on young people under 18. This change affects families, teens, and law enforcement across the state.

This article explains what happened to Texas curfew laws. You’ll learn about the new rules and what they mean for you and your family.

What Is a Juvenile Curfew?

A juvenile curfew is a law that stops young people from being in public places during certain hours. These laws used to be common in Texas cities.

Before 2023, many Texas cities had curfew rules. Young people under 17 or 18 could not be out in public during late night or early morning hours. They also could not be out during school hours on weekdays.

Cities created these laws to try to reduce crime and keep kids safe. Police could stop teens who were out during curfew hours.

The Big Change: House Bill 1819

In 2023, the Texas government passed House Bill 1819. Governor Greg Abbott signed this bill on June 9, 2023. The law took effect on September 1, 2023.

This new law changed everything about curfews in Texas. It banned cities and counties from making or enforcing curfew rules for people under 18.

Representative David Cook from Mansfield wrote this bill. He had support from both Republican and Democrat lawmakers.

Why Texas Ended Juvenile Curfews

Lawmakers ended curfews because research showed they don’t work. Studies found that curfews do not reduce crime or make communities safer.

The research also showed that curfews hurt young people more than they helped. Black and Hispanic teens were more likely to get in trouble for curfew violations than white teens.

Some other problems with curfews included:

Kids could get criminal records for just being outside
Families faced fines up to $500
Most teens who got citations were first-time offenders
Curfews didn’t stop real crimes from happening

Texas lawmakers decided these laws did more harm than good.

What the New Law Says

House Bill 1819 is very clear about what cities and counties cannot do. They cannot create any rule that stops people under 18 from being in public places at certain times.

This means no more nighttime curfews. It also means no more daytime curfews during school hours.

The law applies to all cities and counties in Texas. No local government can ignore this rule.

Emergency Curfews Are Still Allowed

The new law does not ban all types of curfews. Cities and counties can still create emergency curfews during disasters or other emergencies.

These emergency curfews are different from regular juvenile curfews. They apply to everyone, not just young people. They only happen during real emergencies like hurricanes, floods, or other disasters.

Emergency curfews use different state laws under the Texas Disaster Act. These emergency powers were not changed by House Bill 1819.

What Happened to Old Curfews

When the new law took effect on September 1, 2023, all existing curfew ordinances became invalid. Cities had to stop enforcing them right away.

Some cities repealed their curfew laws before September 1st. Others let the state law automatically cancel their local rules.

Any court cases for curfew violations that were still pending on September 1st were dismissed. However, if someone was already convicted before that date, their conviction stayed on their record.

How Cities Used to Enforce Curfews

Before 2023, many Texas cities had curfew rules. Here are some examples of how they worked:

Most cities banned teens from being out between 11 PM and 6 AM on school nights. Weekend curfews usually started at midnight or 1 AM.

Many cities also had daytime curfews. Kids could not be in public between 9 AM and 2:30 PM on school days unless they had a good reason.

Good reasons included going to work, running errands for parents, or having an emergency.

Penalties That Used to Exist

Before the ban, breaking curfew rules could result in serious consequences. Teens could face Class C misdemeanor charges.

The maximum fine was $500. Parents could also face the same fine if they knowingly let their child break curfew.

Police could take teens to a special processing center. Parents had to pick up their children. Some teens got citations instead of being taken into custody.

Business owners could also get in trouble. They could be fined for letting minors stay at their businesses during curfew hours.

Cities That Changed Before the Ban

Some Texas cities got rid of their curfews before the state banned them. Austin repealed its curfew in 2017 after research showed it unfairly targeted Black children.

Houston eliminated its daytime curfew in 2019. Waco repealed its curfew years earlier. Fort Worth let its curfew expire in early 2023.

These cities found that removing curfews did not increase crime. Austin actually saw a 21% decrease in juvenile crime victims after ending its curfew.

What Police Do Now

Police in Texas still enforce all other laws that apply to young people. They can still arrest teens who commit real crimes like theft, vandalism, or drug possession.

The only thing that changed is that being outside during certain hours is no longer illegal. Police cannot stop or arrest someone just for being out late.

Many police departments say they are focusing on real crimes instead of curfew violations. They use their time to investigate more serious issues.

Parent and Guardian Rights

Parents still have the right to set curfews for their own children. The new law only stops government curfews.

Family rules about when kids should be home are still completely legal. Parents can ground their children or take away privileges for breaking family curfews.

Many experts encourage parents to set their own household rules about when kids should be home. These personal family rules can be more effective than government curfews.

How Other States Handle Curfews

Texas is not the only state to question juvenile curfews. Many other states have also ended or limited these laws.

Research from across the country shows similar results. Curfews don’t reduce crime but they do create problems for families and communities.

Some states still allow local curfews. Others have banned them like Texas did. The trend is moving away from government curfews for young people.

Support for the Change

Many groups supported ending curfews in Texas. Texas Appleseed, a legal advocacy group, worked hard to pass House Bill 1819.

They argued that curfews violated young people’s freedom of movement. They also pointed out that vulnerable teens, like those who are homeless or fleeing abuse, could be punished just for being outside.

Civil rights groups also supported the change. They showed that curfew enforcement was not fair to all racial groups.

Concerns About the Change

Not everyone was happy about ending curfews. Some police chiefs and mayors worried about losing a tool they thought helped keep kids safe.

The mayor of Lubbock said curfews could be effective at preventing crime. Some police departments said curfews helped them start conversations with teens who might be heading for trouble.

However, these officials still support following the state law. They are finding new ways to help young people without using curfews.

What This Means for Families

The end of government curfews gives families more freedom. Parents can decide what works best for their own children.

Teens cannot get criminal records just for being outside during certain hours. This protects young people from having minor violations follow them into adulthood.

Families also don’t have to worry about unexpected fines for curfew violations. This is especially helpful for families with limited money.

Community Safety Without Curfews

Texas communities are finding new ways to keep young people safe without curfews. Some cities are expanding community center hours.

Others are hiring more youth workers and counselors. These approaches focus on helping kids rather than punishing them.

Research shows these positive approaches work better than curfews at actually reducing crime and helping young people succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my city still arrest my teenager for being out late?

No, cities and counties in Texas cannot arrest or cite anyone under 18 just for being in public during certain hours.

Can I still set a curfew for my own child?

Yes, parents have every right to set household rules about when their children should be home.

What if there’s an emergency in my city?

Cities can still impose emergency curfews during disasters, but these apply to everyone, not just young people.

Do other laws still apply to teenagers?

Yes, all other laws still apply to young people, including laws about theft, vandalism, drug possession, and other crimes.

What happened to old curfew violations on someone’s record?

Convictions from before September 1, 2023, remain on records, but no new curfew violations can be prosecuted.

Final Thoughts

Texas made an important change when it banned juvenile curfews in 2023. This change protects young people’s rights while still keeping communities safe.

The new law gives families more control over their own children. It also helps vulnerable teens who might be homeless or fleeing dangerous situations.

Research shows this change will likely make Texas communities safer and more fair for everyone. Young people can now move freely without fear of getting criminal records for just being outside.

Curfew Laws in Texas 2026: What You Need to Know