Rep. Alma Allen

Maddy summaryHB 1822 updates Texas juvenile court jurisdiction and record sealing rules. It extends juvenile court authority over incomplete cases when a youth turns 18 or 19 during proceedings, provided the state exercised due diligence or wasn't at fault for delays. The bill also creates new eligibility for sealing juvenile records: individuals on determinate sentence probation who weren't committed to juvenile facilities, weren't transferred to adult court, and have completed probation. These changes apply only to conduct occurring on or after the bill's effective date, not retroactively. The law aims to provide clearer pathways for record sealing while maintaining court oversight for certain cases.

Maddy summaryHB 3339 mandates a study by Texas' Maternal Mortality Review Committee and the Department of State Health Services to examine maternal mortality and morbidity rates specifically among Black women in Texas. The study requires comparing these rates to other racial/ethnic groups, analyzing socioeconomic factors, evaluating healthcare coverage types (Medicaid, private insurance, uninsured), and assessing impacts of specific health conditions (like preeclampsia and obesity) and implicit biases in healthcare. It also requires evaluating social determinants of health and pregnancy-related complications. The committee must submit a report with recommendations to address disparities by September 1, 2026, including provider training on cultural competency and successful programs from other states. This bill directly affects Black women in Texas by focusing on data collection to inform future policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1738 repeals the criminal penalty for homosexual conduct (previously codified in Section 21.06 of the Penal Code). It simultaneously amends health education requirements in Texas schools to mandate that materials for minors include the statement that "homosexual conduct is not an acceptable lifestyle," while incorrectly referencing the repealed law. The bill affects public school health curricula for students under 18, requiring this specific language to be included in sexual education programs. The legislation passed the Texas legislature on May 16, 2025, and would take effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryHB 1820 allows individuals arrested for a crime but never charged to clear their arrest records under specific conditions. It directly affects people who were arrested but not prosecuted, including those where a grand jury failed to find probable cause for the alleged offense. The bill establishes timeframes for expungement: 180 days for Class C misdemeanors, one year for Class B/A misdemeanors, and three years for felonies, or if the state attorney certifies records aren't needed for investigations. If no indictment or information was filed within these periods, or if the grand jury declined to find probable cause, the person can request record removal. The law applies to offenses occurring before, during, or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5562 amends Texas Tax Code Section 351.152 to expand which municipalities can use hotel and convention center tax revenue for related projects. It specifically authorizes 16 types of cities - based on population size, geographic features (like bordering Lake Palestine or the San Gabriel River), or specific locations (such as containing a Texas Tech University component) - to redirect these taxes toward funding convention center developments. The bill clarifies that this authority applies only to the listed municipalities, not all Texas cities. It does not create new taxes but defines how existing hotel tax revenue may be allocated for convention center obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1730 requires the University of Houston to lead a study on how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (common in products like food packaging and firefighting gear) affect public health. The study must examine these chemicals in food and drink products, drinking water sources, and workplace materials used by firefighters and manufacturing workers. The University of Houston, working with Texas environmental agencies, must complete the study and submit a report to the legislature by December 1, 2026. The bill expires December 31, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 4893 establishes the "Breakthrough Program" to provide targeted academic advising for Texas students who are the first in their families to pursue college or who qualify for free/reduced-price lunch. The program requires the Texas Education Agency to coordinate with schools and social services, set performance goals for academic achievement, graduation rates, and college enrollment, and provide training for participating communities. Local school districts must develop funding plans to sustain services if state funding decreases, and may use federal, state, private, or school district funds to support the program. This bill directly affects first-generation college students and educationally disadvantaged youth in Texas public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1405 amends Texas education law to clarify and expand definitions of bullying and cyberbullying in public schools. It explicitly includes incidents targeting students based on religion, disability, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, or association with groups sharing those characteristics. The bill requires schools to implement strategies addressing bias-based bullying and mandates staff training on these approaches. Cyberbullying is defined as bullying using electronic devices like phones, computers, or social media. The law directly affects school staff responsible for implementing anti-bullying policies and students who experience bias-based harassment.

Maddy summaryHB 4442 would require Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to offer an elective mindfulness course for all students in middle school, junior high school, and high school. The course must teach specific techniques to enhance focus, manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and build self-awareness and compassion. High school students would be able to count this course toward their elective credit requirements for graduation. The bill would take effect for the 2026-2027 school year, unless it receives a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers, in which case it would take effect immediately.