16 - Repeal of Curfew Ordinance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item No. 16 TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro -Tem & City Council Grayson Path, City Manager FROM: Richard W. Salter Jr., Chief of Police SUBJECT: REPEAL OF CURFEW ORDINANCE DATE: August 14, 2023 BACKGROUND: The City of Paris Code of Ordinances, Chapter 8, Article 8.02, Sections 8.02.031 thru 8.02.039 establishes and governs both a day and night time curfew for children of various ages. On February 14, 2022, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 2022-006 re- authorizing the Curfew for Children. STATUS OF ISSUE: On June 9, 2023, the 881h Texas Legislature passed Texas House Bill 1819 repealing the authority of political subdivisions to adopt or enforce juvenile curfews. This new State Law takes effect September 1, 2023, thereby making it illegal for the City of Paris to enforce the current Curfew Ordinance. While the City stood opposed to this legislation, it ultimately passed and applies to all cities, including Home Rule cities. The City Manager Office and Police Department have serious concerns with this new legislation as we believe it places our youth in unnecessary danger, however it is beyond our control to regulate now that the Texas Legislature has stripped away our local control in this matter. We continue to encourage our legislators to protect local control so that our citizens can determine what is best for their own community, however, in this instance, we were unsuccessful. BUDGET: No anticipated impact to budget. RECOMMENDATION: Approve an Ordinance Repealing Section Chapter 8, Article 8.02, Division 2, Sections 8.02.031 thru 8.02.039, "Curfew for Children" (Ordinance No. 2022-006) of the Code of Ordinances.