With the number of cases of COVID-19 surging here in Texas and the rest of the country and students of all ages heading back to the classroom in the coming weeks, many local governments and independent school districts are scrambling to not only contain the spread of the virus but also balance the rights and liberties of all those affected. On July 29, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order No. GA-38, which, among other things, prohibited governmental entities, including county authorities and school districts, from requiring or mandating individuals to wear face coverings. Jurisdictions that act in contravention of this executive order or issue orders that conflict with the executive order are subject to a fine of up to $1,000. Despite the language of Executive Order No. GA-38, some local entities have opted to defy the order.
Read moreAugust Webinars from the Law Library of Congress Legal Research Institute
This blog post provides descriptions of and registration links to three webinars in August hosted by the Law Library of Congress Legal Research Institute.
Read moreZooming into the Harris County Courtroom
We are pleased to announce the launch of our Zoom Help page, which provides helpful information about using Zoom and video conferencing technologies to attend court proceedings. The centerpiece of the new page is a two-part video series titled Zooming into the Harris County Courtroom.
Read moreRecap of the New CDC Eviction Moratorium & Texas Eviction Resources
This blog post summarizes the new CDC eviction moratorium issued on August 3, 2021, as well as provides information on two resources in Texas to help people facing eviction.
Read moreTemporary Suspension of In-Person Services - Connect with Us Virtually
Due to increased public health concerns, the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library has temporarily suspended in-person services, effective Tuesday, August 3, 2021. We are still available to help you through email, phone, and our website links, which are described in this blog post.
Read more