Rep. Paul Terry

Maddy summaryHB 131 requires all public school boards to create and adopt written policies governing student use of personal cell phones during school hours. This directly affects school boards (as the policy creators) and students (as the individuals subject to the rules). The bill mandates that these policies address how cell phones may be used, stored, or restricted while on school grounds. It does not specify particular restrictions but sets a requirement for school boards to establish clear, formal guidelines. The policy must be enacted by the school board, not by individual schools.

Maddy summaryHB 392 directs the state to dissolve three specific entities: the Office of Health Equity within the Department of Health and Human Services, the environmental justice and civil rights functions within the Department of Environmental Services, and the Governor's Council on Diversity and Inclusion. This bill would eliminate these offices and their mandated programs, directly affecting state agencies and their existing equity-focused initiatives. The key mechanism is the formal termination of these offices' legal authority and operations, removing their structural role in state policy implementation. The bill does not create new programs or alter funding but ends specific administrative functions related to health equity, environmental justice, and diversity coordination.

Maddy summaryHB 191 would impose criminal and civil penalties on individuals who transport unemancipated minors (minors without legal independence) to obtain certain surgical procedures without parental permission. It directly affects medical providers, transportation services, and others facilitating such travel. The bill creates criminal charges for knowingly transporting minors for these procedures and allows civil lawsuits for damages by affected parties. This policy change adds specific legal consequences for bypassing parental consent requirements in medical care for minors.

Maddy summaryHB 697 is a proposed bill that would adjust the payment rates for witnesses testifying in criminal court cases. It directly affects individuals who are subpoenaed to testify, ensuring they receive updated compensation for their time and expenses. The bill's key provision modifies the current fee schedule to align with current cost-of-living standards, increasing the daily payment amount. This change aims to improve witness participation in criminal proceedings by providing fairer reimbursement. The bill is currently under review in committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 143 makes it a crime for anyone to use AI-powered communication tools (like chatbots) to facilitate, encourage, offer, solicit, or recommend harmful acts to a child. It directly affects developers and operators of generative AI services interacting with minors, imposing criminal penalties for violations. The bill also creates a private right to sue for individuals harmed by such interactions. It became law on August 1, 2025, and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 142 designates the Sunday closest to September 25 as "Gold Star Mother's Day" in the state. It directly affects state agencies, schools, and local governments, requiring them to recognize the day through official proclamations or observances. The bill establishes a formal state observance of this day, which honors mothers who have lost children while serving in the U.S. military. It became law on August 1, 2025, and takes effect September 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 768 allows public school districts to contract with any nonpublic school that meets state approval standards, removing previous restrictions on such partnerships. This directly affects public school districts seeking alternative educational arrangements and approved nonpublic schools eligible to provide services. The key provision eliminates prior limitations preventing public schools from contracting with nonpublic schools for specific programs or services, such as specialized instruction. The bill became law on July 15, 2025, after passing both chambers and receiving the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 771 changes how public schools with open enrollment policies receive state funding. It modifies the funding formula to better support these schools, which allow students to attend outside their district boundaries. The bill directly affects all public schools operating under open enrollment programs statewide. It became law on July 15, 2025, and takes effect September 13, 2025.