Rep. Liz Campos

Maddy summaryHB 3588 allows Texas adults to create a written directive requiring that only a physician may diagnose and treat them, especially if they later become unable to communicate due to incapacity. The directive must be signed with two witnesses (one meeting specific qualifications) or notarized, and the patient must inform their attending physician, who must then include it in the medical record. This bill applies to all health care facilities and practitioners in Texas and establishes a new Texas Patients' Bill of Rights to help patients make informed decisions about their care. It focuses on clarifying patient rights and ensuring physician-led treatment under defined circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 3090 requires health benefit plans in Texas to cover medically necessary hearing aids and cochlear implants, along with related services and supplies, for individuals 25 years of age or younger. This applies specifically to plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, meaning current plans remain unaffected until that date. The law mandates coverage for devices deemed medically necessary by a healthcare provider, directly impacting young Texans (under 25) enrolled in qualifying health insurance plans. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, but the coverage requirement begins in 2026 for new or renewed plans.

Maddy summaryHB 3145 creates a new grant program administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide funding for security and sanitation services for homeless individuals. It directly affects public improvement districts in counties with over 500 unsheltered homeless people, as reported in the latest point-in-time census. The bill requires districts to use these grants only for authorized public improvement projects, such as enhanced safety or sanitation services in their areas. The program will begin on September 1, 2025, with rules to be adopted by the Public Safety Commission by January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2927 increases criminal penalties for peace officers who fail to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly individuals or people with disabilities. Under the bill, this failure becomes a state jail felony (instead of a Class A misdemeanor) if the officer knew the victim had serious injury while living in specific facilities (like ICF-IID centers) or if the officer encountered the victim while performing duties. The law applies only to offenses occurring on or after its September 1, 2025 effective date. It directly affects peace officers who have a duty to report such cases but do not.

Maddy summaryHB 2928 requires referral agencies that connect individuals to assisted living facilities to provide written disclosures to clients before making referrals. The disclosure must include fees charged to both clients and facilities, ownership interests in facilities, and statements about clients’ right to cancel services without penalties. It also mandates standardized intake forms collecting clients’ medical history, medications, diagnoses, and care needs. This bill directly affects referral agencies and clients seeking assisted living placements by increasing transparency around costs and facility relationships. The law aims to prevent hidden fees and conflicts of interest through these specific disclosure and documentation requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2632 amends Texas law to clarify the definition of child neglect and requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and a child's parent or legal guardian to serve as joint managing conservators when neglect is found. The bill explicitly defines neglect to include failing to provide medical care (causing harm or danger), leaving a child in unsafe situations (like exposure to abuse or sexual harm), or not arranging proper care after a child's absence from home. This affects children involved in DFPS cases where neglect is determined, ensuring both the state agency and the parent/guardian share responsibility for the child's care. The law aims to create clearer accountability in cases where a child's safety is compromised, without specifying outcomes or advocating for the policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2634 would allow Texas's Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to request court approval for limited legal independence for youth aged 17 or older in their conservatorship who have either refused DFPS services for 60 consecutive days or been absent from their placement (including temporary emergency care) for 60 consecutive days. The department must file a motion with a sworn affidavit detailing efforts to engage the youth or return them to care, and the court order would only apply to specific, narrow purposes like a trial independence period under existing law. This change directly affects disengaged youth in DFPS custody who are nearing adulthood but not participating in required services or placements. The bill does not grant full adult legal status but permits temporary, court-approved autonomy for targeted circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 2685 requires Texas' Housing and Health Services Coordination Council to annually evaluate the 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network's services every even-numbered year by August 1. The evaluation must analyze user demographics, service needs, database integration with state/local resources, user satisfaction, referral outcomes, and technology improvements. It specifically aims to inform potential expansions of "service-enriched housing" (housing connecting residents to support services). The bill mandates the Texas Information and Referral Network to collaborate with the council on collecting anonymized data for this review. This is a procedural evaluation bill affecting the council, the referral network, and indirectly the public using 2-1-1 services for housing/health resources.

Maddy summaryHB 2603 requires the Texas Department of Human Services to provide assistance to elderly persons who request help obtaining temporary court orders (ex parte orders) under Family Code Section 83.006. These orders would exclude individuals who have allegedly committed physical or verbal abuse against the elderly person, with the abuse alleged to constitute "family violence" as defined in the Family Code. The bill directly affects elderly Texans experiencing abuse by streamlining access to protective legal measures. It mandates department support for this specific process, with rules to implement the provision, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2746 creates a pilot program allowing Texans to text-donate to support homeless services in major Texas cities (population 285,000+). The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs will manage the program, enabling donors to send text messages to contribute to local organizations providing emergency housing, transportation, and homelessness prevention. Donations must be allocated as follows: at least 65% for housing, 20% for transportation, 5% for program promotion, and no more than 10% for administrative costs. The pilot program, set to launch September 1, 2025, is limited to specific large municipalities and aims to streamline private donations for homeless services.