Rep. Liz Campos

Maddy summaryHB 2635 allows counties and municipalities in Texas to require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in certain buildings after public notice and consultation with fire officials. It permits local governments to set specific requirements for AED installation and placement in structures under their licensure or regulation (like retail stores or offices), while excluding hospitals, health facilities, and buildings with 30 or fewer occupants. The bill ensures small businesses can request exceptions or variances to avoid undue burden and prohibits local governments from charging fees for AED inspections. This legislation gives local authorities a framework to enhance emergency response preparedness without mandating AEDs statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 2376 establishes certification requirements for Texas nursing facilities providing specialized care for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. It requires facilities licensed after January 1, 2027, to hold this certification, while allowing existing facilities to operate without it until January 1, 2030. The bill mandates a three-year certification period with staggered expiration dates and prohibits facilities from advertising certification unless they hold it. It also sets state agency standards for this specialized care and updates facility classification rules in the Health and Safety Code. The law expires September 1, 2032.

Maddy summaryHB 2374 requires Texas long-term care facilities (like nursing homes) to establish and maintain infection prevention programs. These programs must monitor key infectious diseases, ensure rapid access to flu and COVID-19 tests for residents and staff, and be overseen by a facility committee including nursing and medical directors. The committee must conduct annual reviews, report findings to residents at public meetings, and ensure the facility’s primary infection preventionist implements the program. The bill authorizes administrative penalties for noncompliance with these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2375 requires nursing facilities in Texas providing specialized care for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders to obtain state certification. Facilities licensed after January 1, 2027, must hold this certification immediately to offer such care, while others have until January 1, 2035, to comply. The bill establishes a three-year certification period with staggered renewals, aligns certification expiration with facility licensing, and prohibits facilities from advertising certification unless they hold it. This applies specifically to facilities serving Alzheimer's patients, not general nursing care, and expires September 1, 2037. The bill creates a regulatory framework but does not provide new funding or services.

Maddy summaryHB 2324 proposes new minimum staffing standards for Texas assisted living facilities caring for residents with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders. The bill requires the Health and Human Services Commission to establish staff-to-resident ratios based on scientific evidence and the increased supervision needs of these residents. Facilities must maintain adequate staffing levels meeting these standards, which take effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects assisted living facilities providing specialized care for individuals with cognitive disorders in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 2325 creates a statewide online registry for dangerous dogs in Texas, specifically applying to animal control authorities in municipalities with over 100,000 residents. The registry, maintained by the Department of Public Safety, requires detailed information from owners including rabies vaccination proof, secure enclosure details, liability insurance, microchip/tattoo identification, spaying/neutering status, and owner contact information. It mandates that animal control authorities submit this data to the registry after determining a dog is dangerous under existing law, unless a municipality grants written approval to omit certain details. The bill directly affects dog owners in large Texas cities and animal control agencies managing dangerous dog cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2058 requires hospitals with specific maternal care designations to provide supportive counseling and medical cooling devices (like specialized blankets or cradles) to parents and families following a perinatal death or stillbirth. It creates a grant program to help these hospitals cover costs for staff training on compassionate care and purchasing/maintaining cooling devices. The bill also establishes a hospital recognition program for facilities excelling in perinatal palliative care. These provisions directly affect Texas hospitals licensed under Chapter 241 that serve maternal care patients. The law aims to improve access to and quality of grief support services for families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution designates May 8 as "Vaccination Day" in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It recognizes May 8 as the anniversary of the 1980 declaration that the world was free of smallpox, highlighting the importance of immunization. The resolution serves as a ceremonial observance to honor vaccine history and public health achievements, with no direct policy or funding changes. It does not affect specific individuals or groups but encourages public awareness of vaccination's role in health.

Maddy summaryHB 1346 increases criminal penalties for dog owners who fail to secure dangerous dogs, leading to unprovoked attacks causing injury or death. It classifies offenses based on severity: a Class B misdemeanor for bodily injury, a third-degree felony for serious injury, and a second-degree felony if the attack results in death. The bill requires owners to secure dogs properly and defines "dangerous dog" based on prior incidents reported to animal control. It also adds confidentiality protections for witnesses reporting attacks and applies specifically to municipalities with over 70% of a county's population in areas with 1.5 million+ residents. The bill is currently in committee referral.

Maddy summaryHB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia and related disorders. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and other eligible organizations for research into dementia causes, prevention strategies, treatments, and symptom mitigation. It establishes oversight committees to manage grants, ensure compliance, and requires annual public reports detailing funded projects and recipients. The institute is set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless extended under Texas Sunset Act procedures.