Relating to exempting medical care provided by a midwife from being considered as neglect of a child.
HB 5531 amends Texas Family Code Section 261.001 to explicitly include midwives (as defined in the Occupations Code) in the definition of "medical provider." This change exempts medical care provided by licensed midwives from being automatically classified as child neglect under state law. The bill directly affects families using midwifery services and midwives practicing in Texas, ensuring their care is treated the same as other licensed medical providers. The amendment takes effect on September 1, 2025.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 7, 2025
Last action Apr 7, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Health
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Donna Howard
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 5531
Scope: TX
Hi! I can help you understand HB 5531. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline