Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 493: Relating to protection of certain disclosures and communications by pharmacists and pharmacies regarding prescription drug benefits.

SB 493 protects pharmacists and pharmacies from contractual restrictions that prevent them from sharing key cost information with patients and discussing service details with health insurance plans. Specifically, it prohibits contracts from blocking pharmacists from: (1) informing patients about differences between their out-of-pocket costs with and without submitting a claim under their health plan, and (2) communicating with insurers about prescription drug benefits, pharmacy services, network access, or reimbursement. The law applies only to contracts entered into or amended on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting pharmacists, pharmacies, and patients covered by health benefit plans. It creates a clear legal right for pharmacists to discuss cost and service matters without penalty.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2801: Relating to a permit issued by the Parks and Wildlife Department for certain hunting dog field trials; authorizing a fee.

SB 2801 creates a $50 permit for hunting dog field trials in Texas that involve chasing squirrels, fur-bearing animals, or nongame animals under field conditions. Organizers must apply for this permit, which exempts registered participants from standard hunting license requirements during the trial. The permit is valid for nine consecutive days and only applies to the specific property listed in the application. This law directly affects hunting dog trial organizers and participants who hold events involving these wildlife species.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5664: Relating to the operation of Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas.

This bill amends governance rules for Wood County Central Hospital District by increasing its board size from six to seven directors elected at large. It updates financial oversight requirements, mandating audits at least every three years (instead of annually) and allowing the district to select any bank as depository (removing the prior requirement to use a Wood County bank). The bill also restricts district investments to options specified in Texas Government Code Chapter 2256. These changes directly affect how Wood County Central Hospital District operates and manages its finances, effective September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 45: Relating to the duty of the attorney general to represent the state in the prosecution of the criminal offense of trafficking of persons.

HB 45 requires law enforcement agencies to submit human trafficking reports to both local prosecutors and the Texas Attorney General simultaneously. If a local prosecutor fails to take action within six months, the Attorney General gains automatic jurisdiction to prosecute the case. This law directly affects law enforcement agencies (which must share reports), local prosecutors (who must act within six months or lose jurisdiction), and the Attorney General’s office (which gains authority to handle unprosecuted cases). The bill amends the Government Code and Penal Code to establish these procedures, applying only to human trafficking offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2544: Relating to eligibility for mediation of certain out-of-network health benefit claims.

SB 2544 creates a mandatory mediation process for disputes over out-of-network health care billing between providers and insurance companies. It requires that requests for mediation must be filed within 90 days of an initial payment for services provided on or after the bill's effective date (June 20, 2025). For disputes involving services provided before this date, mediation eligibility is limited to requests made within 120 days of the effective date under the previous law. The bill applies only to new disputes after its effective date, with no impact on pre-existing disputes that miss the 120-day window.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4361: Relating to establishing policies regarding the timely issuance of emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education.

HB 4361 requires Texas public institutions of higher education to establish standardized emergency notification procedures that comply with the federal Jeanne Clery Act. It mandates that institutions, in consultation with students, faculty, and staff, adopt clear protocols for timely emergency alerts through required systems. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board must adopt these rules promptly after the bill's effective date. The law took effect immediately on June 20, 2025, after being signed by the Governor. This directly affects all public colleges and universities in Texas, ensuring consistent emergency communication practices.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1562: Relating to massage student permits.

HB 1562 requires massage school students in Texas to hold a photo ID permit displaying their name, school name, and a photograph, which must be visibly displayed at their school. This applies directly to students enrolled in licensed massage schools across Texas. The bill amends the Occupations Code to establish this requirement and directs the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt implementing rules. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2061: Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 242 in Montgomery County as the Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez Memorial Bridge.

HB 2061 designates a specific bridge on State Highway 242 over Interstate 69 in Montgomery County as the "Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez Memorial Bridge." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at each end of the bridge and at intermediate locations along the highway. This is a commemorative designation honoring Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez, with no substantive policy changes or financial obligations beyond standard marker installation. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2598: Relating to a school psychologist licensed under the Occupations Code.

HB 2598 amends Texas Education Code to clarify who qualifies as a "mental health professional" for school services. It explicitly includes school psychologists (as defined in the Occupations Code) alongside other licensed providers like clinical social workers and licensed counselors. The bill also creates a task force to advise on school mental health services, requiring specific representation from parents, school administrators, and mental health professionals. This directly affects school psychologists, mental health service providers, and school districts implementing these services. The changes took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4081: Relating to the sealing of certain documents alleged to contain trade secrets.

HB 4081 establishes new rules for sealing documents containing alleged trade secrets in civil court cases. It requires parties seeking to seal such documents to submit a notice, a detailed description of the information, contact details, and factual justification for the trade secret claim. The bill also mandates a 14-day deadline for the person claiming the trade secret to respond with their own affidavit if they receive a sealing notice. This applies to all parties involved in civil lawsuits where trade secret claims are relevant, creating a standardized process for document sealing requests. The law aims to balance transparency in court proceedings with protection for legitimate trade secret information.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1957: Relating to the eligibility of a person to serve on a civilian oversight board.

SB 1957 establishes new eligibility requirements for individuals serving on civilian oversight boards in Texas municipalities. The bill prohibits people who have been convicted of a felony (including those placed on deferred adjudication) or convicted of a crime of moral turpitude from serving on these boards. These boards monitor police or fire department activities, as defined in the legislation. The law took effect immediately on June 20, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1443: Relating to creating the criminal offense of promotion or possession of a child-like sex doll.

HB 1443 creates a new criminal offense in Texas for promoting or possessing a "child-like sex doll," defined as an obscene, anatomically correct doll or robot designed to look like a child and intended for sexual use. It prohibits three specific actions: promoting such dolls (felony, second degree), possessing them with intent to promote (felony, third degree), or simply possessing them (state jail felony). The law presumes intent to promote if someone possesses two or more dolls, but includes an exception for law enforcement using them for legitimate purposes. This bill directly affects individuals who manufacture, sell, or own these dolls, making the specified actions punishable under Texas Penal Code.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results