General Information

About this Guide

The COVID-19 pandemic became widespread in March of 2020 and disrupted almost all aspects of everyday life, including work, school, healthcare, housing, court access, and more. During this time, various federal, state, and local governments issued new laws in an attempt to address the pandemic's effects.

In this guide you will find information about many of the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the legal aspects of Texans' everyday lives.

New COVID-19 Texas Legislation

The following is a list of new COVID-19 laws passed during the 88th Texas Legislative Regular Session.

Senate Bill 29, 88th Regular Session
Effective September 1st, 2023. — This bill adds Chapter 81B to the Texas Health & Safety Code. It bars government entities from imposing face-covering or vaccine mandates or closing private businesses and schools due to COVID-19.
Senate Bill 493, 88th Regular Session
Effective immediately. — This bill adds Section 434.029 to the Texas Government Code. It makes U.S. veterans who were less than honorably discharged for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine eligible for state benefits and services.
House Bill 2166, 88th Regular Session
Effective September 1st, 2023. — This bill adds Section 662.085 to the Texas Government Code, which designates March 4th as COVID-19 Heroes & Memorial Day.
COVID-19 Filed Bills from the 88th Regular Session
Search results for all bills with the subject COVID-19 filed during the 88th Regular Session. Note that this is a list of bills filed, not bills that passed.

Current COVID-19 Orders & Laws

Texas Statutes

Chapter 81B of the Texas Health & Safety Code
This chapter bars government entities from imposing face-covering or vaccine mandates or closing private businesses and schools due to COVID-19.
Section 161.0085 of the Texas Health & Safety Code
This statute prohibits government entities from issuing vaccine passports to certify a person's COVID-19 vaccination status. It also prohibits businesses that receive public funding or state licensing from requring proof of COVID-19 vaccination status in order to obtain service.
Section 434.029 of the Texas Government Code
This law makes U.S. veterans who were less than honorably discharged for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine eligible for state benefits and services.

Texas Executive Orders

Texas Governor's Executive Order No. GA-13
Effective: March 29th, 2020 until amended or rescinded. — This Executive Order placed limits on the types of inmates who can be released without bail in county and municipal jails and who can have their sentence commuted.
Texas Governor's Executive Order No. GA-38
Effective July 29th, 2021 until amended or rescinded. — This Executive Order was issued by Governor Greg Abbott. It prohibits state and local governments from requiring masks.
Texas Governor's Executive Order No. GA-39 (8/25/21)
Effective: August 21st, 2021 until amended or rescinded. — This Executive Order prohibits vaccine mandates and vaccine passports in Texas.
Texas Governor's Executive Order No. GA-40 (10/11/21)
Effective: October 11th, 2021 until amended or rescinded. — This Executive Order prohibits any entity from requiring an individual to get a COVID-19 vaccination if they have an objection.

Disaster Declarations

At this time, both the federal and state COVID-19 disaster declarations have expired.

The federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration ended on May 11th, 2023. This mostly affects the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s ability to track certain types of public health data. A COVID-19 PHE declaration had been in place since January 31st, 2020.

The last Texas COVID-19 disaster declaration was renewed by Governor Greg Abbott on May 15th, 2023. It was not renewed after the 30-day deadline passed on June 15th, 2023.

End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration (CDC)
This article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains how the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency declaration will change data collection but leave testing, vaccination, and treatments intact.
Gov. Greg Abbott says he won’t renew his COVID-19 disaster declaration later this week (6/12/2023)
This Texas Tribune article examines Governor Abbott's decision not to renew Texas’ COVID-19 disaster declaration in June of 2023.
The End of the Public Health Emergency: What You Need to Know (Texas Disability Rights)
This article from Texas Disability Rights, a legal advocacy organization, explains how the end of the PHE will affect various federal programs and benefits.

Texas State
Law Library

COVID-19 & Texas Law