Rep. Sam Harless

Maddy summaryHB 127 creates the Higher Education Research Security Council to protect universities from foreign espionage risks. The council, made up of security officers from university systems and select research institutions, will identify best practices for securing academic research while mitigating threats from foreign adversaries. It directly affects public and private research-focused universities in Texas, particularly those designated as "tier one" institutions. The bill establishes this council as a formal body to coordinate security efforts across higher education, without changing existing trade secret laws. The council’s role is limited to advising institutions on security protocols, not enforcing new penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill bars community supervision for individuals convicted of stalking by adding it to a list of offenses where such supervision is unavailable. It specifically targets convictions under Penal Code Section 42.072 (stalking) and explicitly excludes it from eligibility under Article 42A.053 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. As a result, judges must impose prison sentences instead of community supervision for stalking convictions, aligning it with other serious offenses like aggravated sexual assault. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires magistrates in Texas to provide written findings within 24 hours when they determine no probable cause exists for a criminal arrest. This applies specifically to cases involving offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The law aims to create a clear, documented record of the magistrate's decision in these initial proceedings. It directly affects magistrates handling pretrial detention hearings for criminal defendants.

Maddy summaryHB 4623 creates new liability standards for Texas public schools and their employees regarding student sexual misconduct. It holds schools financially responsible if they act with gross negligence or intentional misconduct in hiring or supervising employees who commit sexual misconduct against students or fail to report suspected abuse. The law caps damages at $500,000 per victim in successful claims and requires the employee who committed the act to be named as a defendant. This directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and all professional school employees covered by the definition, including teachers, administrators, and even student interns. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1481 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day on school property or at school events. Exceptions allow device use for students with documented medical needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or health/safety protocols. Schools may implement either a full device ban or a secure storage system for devices during school hours, and must return confiscated devices or dispose of them after providing parents 90 days' written notice. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 2854 requires parole officers to approve non-medical hospital visits for certain parolees convicted of specific offenses (listed in Texas law). Releasees must submit advance requests specifying visit details, and parole officers must notify hospitals of approved visits. The bill shields hospitals from liability for damages related to these visits, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. It applies only to parolees released on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect those released earlier.

Maddy summaryHB 4070 requires dentists to conduct in-person examinations and review diagnostic imaging (like x-rays) before patients can receive orthodontic devices such as braces. It prohibits selling or manufacturing these devices unless a dentist has provided the required exam and issued a prescription, or the seller has written confirmation from a dentist. The law directly affects dentists, orthodontic device sellers, and patients seeking orthodontic treatment. Key provisions mandate specific medical evaluations to identify conditions like gum disease or dental fractures that could make treatment unsafe. This replaces current practices by adding mandatory dentist oversight for device sales and design.

Maddy summaryHB 4285 allows airlines and other passenger transportation permit holders to sell or serve alcoholic beverages on commercial flights - even when crossing areas where alcohol sales are prohibited - without violating local laws. It also permits these permit holders to store sealed alcoholic beverages at airports they regularly serve or within five miles of such airports in the same county, following commission rules. The bill directly affects airlines and transportation companies holding passenger transportation permits under Texas law. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and modifies Section 48.03(b) of the Alcoholic Beverage Code to enable these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 6 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.111 to update requirements for charter schools. The bill specifically adds new criteria allowing charter schools to exclude students who were expelled under Section 37.007, placed in disciplinary alternative education programs under Section 37.006, or have documented criminal histories or discipline problems. While the bill title mentions telehealth mental health services in public schools, the provided text does not detail provisions for telehealth access. The legislation primarily affects charter schools by modifying their student admission policies and discipline management standards. HB 6 was signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, and is now effective.

Maddy summarySB 269 requires physicians to report certain serious adverse reactions to federal systems (VAERS for vaccines, MedWatch for drugs) when patients receive experimental/investigational vaccines or drugs approved for emergency use by the FDA. It defines "serious adverse events" as those causing death, life-threatening conditions, hospitalization, or significant disability. Physicians must report within one year of vaccination/drug administration if they diagnose the condition and know the patient received a covered vaccine or drug. Violations may result in non-disciplinary corrective action for first offenses or disciplinary measures by the Texas Medical Board for repeat failures. The law applies only to non-routine vaccines/drugs, excluding standard vaccines and clinical trial uses.