Rep. Jon Rosenthal

Maddy summaryHB 3695 limits copayments for physical therapy visits under certain health plans. It prohibits health maintenance organizations and preferred provider plans from charging enrollees a higher copayment for a physical therapist visit (without a referral) than for a primary care physician visit. The law applies to plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas enrollees who use physical therapy services without needing a physician referral.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 178 requires Texas public school districts to include "ethnic studies, world geography, or world history" as one of the three required social studies credits for high school students, alongside existing mandates for U.S. history, government, and economics. It directly affects all Texas public school students in grades K-12 by modifying the social studies curriculum structure under the foundation high school program. The bill adds ethnic studies as a specific, mandatory option for fulfilling the social studies credit requirement, while maintaining other existing subject requirements. This change applies to all Texas public school districts offering grades K-12.

Maddy summaryHB 168 prohibits marriage for anyone under 18 in Texas, eliminating the previous exception that allowed minors to marry with a court order removing the disabilities of minority. The bill amends the Texas Family Code to require county clerks to deny marriage licenses to minors and declare any marriage entered into by a minor void. This change applies to all marriage applications filed and marriages entered into on or after September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects minors under 18 and their families by ending the ability to marry with court approval under prior law.

Maddy summaryHB 2437 requires emergency services districts located entirely within counties of over 3 million residents to follow specific procedures for adopting and amending their annual budgets. District boards must post proposed budgets online 72 hours before public meetings, include mandatory public comment periods for amendments, and secure at least three board votes to approve changes. The bill mandates clear online notices for budget proposals and amendments, including public comment opportunities and district website links. These rules apply only to emergency services districts in large-county areas, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3319 would establish a civil service system for constable's department employees (including deputies) in Texas counties with populations over 3.3 million. Counties can create this system either through an election requested by at least 20% of employees or by a commissioners court order. If implemented, a civil service commission appointed by the constable, commissioners court, and district attorney would set rules for hiring, promotions, and employee classification. The bill also includes a provision creating a criminal offense, though specific details of the offense are not provided in the text.

Maddy summaryHB 2785 requires Texas' Secretary of State website to display a mandatory confirmation message during online voter registration before the application is finalized. This message requires applicants to electronically confirm two key points: that completing the form does not equal voter registration, and that the completed application must still be submitted to a local voter registrar. The website must block further interaction until this confirmation is given, ensuring applicants understand the registration process isn't complete upon form submission. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects all Texas residents using the state's online voter registration system.

Maddy summaryHB 850 requires Texas public schools and certain private schools to have at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) accessible within three minutes of any campus location, ensuring immediate response to cardiac emergencies. Schools must also develop and implement a cardiac emergency response plan, including trained response teams, annual CPR and AED training for staff (like coaches and nurses), and yearly practice drills. The plan must align with American Heart Association guidelines and coordinate with local emergency medical services. This bill directly affects all Texas public school campuses and qualifying private schools by mandating concrete safety measures for cardiac emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 4838 requires Texas' Health and Human Services Commission to hire a language access coordinator to assess barriers non-English speakers face when accessing state health/human services programs and 2-1-1 services through the Texas Information and Referral Network. The coordinator must complete an assessment within one year of hiring and submit a written report to the commission's executive commissioner, summarizing findings and recommending improvements to increase language access statewide. The bill mandates this process to identify gaps in service accessibility for non-English speakers. The requirement expires June 1, 2027, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1674 would ban the production, sale, and use of certain agricultural products containing PFAS chemicals (like pesticides or crop protectants). It directly affects agricultural businesses, manufacturers, and sellers of these products. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations, treating unauthorized PFAS use as a punishable offense. The bill is currently pending in the Environmental Regulation committee after committee hearings. (Note: Full bill text is not yet available; this summary is based on the title and pending status.)