Texas Statewide Rule

Texas Bans Local Juvenile Curfews Statewide

Few RestrictionsApplies statewide across Texas (2026)

Texas HB 1819 (88th Legislature, 2023), codified at Local Government Code 370.008 (originally 370.007), prohibits all Texas municipalities and counties from adopting or enforcing juvenile curfew ordinances. Existing local curfews became unenforceable across Texas on September 1, 2023.

Key Facts

Authority: HB 1819 (2023)
Code section: Local Gov't Code 370.008
Effective date: September 1, 2023
Existing curfews: All voided
Truancy laws: Still apply separately

Source: Texas Statutes

Full Breakdown

Effective September 1, 2023, HB 1819 prohibits any general-applicability juvenile curfew ordinance by a county, municipality, or other political subdivision. The prohibition, now codified at Local Government Code 370.008, also repealed the statutes that had authorized local curfews (Local Government Code 341.905, 351.903, and 370.002), making every preexisting curfew in cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin unenforceable. Police can no longer detain or cite minors solely for being out past a set hour. Localities retain authority to enforce truancy laws under Education Code Chapter 25, trespass and loitering rules, and emergency curfews under Government Code Chapter 418. Courts had to dismiss pending juvenile curfew citations.

Violations & Penalties

A minor cannot be cited or detained for a curfew violation in Texas. Officers or municipalities continuing to enforce a void curfew ordinance face civil rights claims and dismissal of any related charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are juvenile curfews legal anywhere in Texas?

No. As of September 1, 2023, HB 1819 prohibits every Texas city and county from enforcing a general juvenile curfew. Any prior local curfew ordinance was automatically voided by state law.

Can my teen still be cited for being out late in Texas?

Not for a curfew alone. Police may still enforce truancy laws during school hours, parental supervision statutes, trespass rules, and emergency curfews tied to a declared disaster, but not a routine nighttime curfew.

What about emergency curfews after a disaster?

Government Code Chapter 418 permits the governor or local officials to impose curfews during declared emergencies. These narrow, time-limited curfews are not preempted by HB 1819.

Sources

Texas Local Government Code Chapter 341 - Municipal Curfew Limitation

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Texas Bans Local Juvenile Curfews Statewide

Few RestrictionsApplies statewide across Texas (2026)

Full Breakdown

Frequently Asked Questions

Are juvenile curfews legal anywhere in Texas?

No. As of September 1, 2023, HB 1819 prohibits every Texas city and county from enforcing a general juvenile curfew. Any prior local curfew ordinance was automatically voided by state law.

Can my teen still be cited for being out late in Texas?

What about emergency curfews after a disaster?

Government Code Chapter 418 permits the governor or local officials to impose curfews during declared emergencies. These narrow, time-limited curfews are not preempted by HB 1819.