Rep. Lacey Hull

Maddy summaryHB 47 amends Texas law to strengthen protections for victims of sexual assault and related offenses. It updates the definition of "victim" to explicitly include minors under 17 and cases involving family violence. Key provisions require law enforcement to provide safety protections, mandate judges to consider victim safety when setting bail, and ensure victims receive timely information about court proceedings and forensic exam costs. For sexual assault victims, the bill specifically guarantees notification about payment for forensic medical exams and related medical care within 30 days of the assault. These changes directly affect victims, their families, and the criminal justice system handling such cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2510 requires that individuals providing personal assistance services to assisted living facility residents must hold a state-issued license, and it creates criminal penalties for doing so without one. The bill also mandates that assisted living facilities operate under a valid license, with similar penalties for operating without authorization. Violations are classified as a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, escalating to a third-degree felony for repeat violations. This law directly affects service providers and facility operators in Texas, taking effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2221 creates Chapter 1702 in Texas' Insurance Code to establish uniform standards for prohibited trade practices in life insurance, annuity contracts, and accident/health coverage. It defines key terms like "agent," "consumer," and "loss-control or value-added product/service" to clarify what practices are restricted and what value-added services (like free wellness programs) may be offered at no cost. The law aims to standardize rules for insurers and agents while allowing recognized value-added services under existing model laws. This bill directly affects insurance companies, agents, and consumers purchasing these coverage types, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4224 requires health care providers (covered entities) to prominently post clear instructions on their websites and at facilities about how patients can: request their own health records, contact licensing authorities for the provider, and file complaints. This applies to hospitals, clinics, and similar direct care providers but excludes billing or claims processing companies. The law, effective September 1, 2025, mandates specific posting requirements to improve transparency in patient access to records and complaint processes. It does not change existing record-keeping rules but standardizes how providers must share this information.

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 3940 requires Medicaid providers (including hospitals and health care facilities) to annually notify staff about using a mother's Medicaid ID for newborn care claims when the infant hasn't been enrolled. It also mandates that hospitals and providers give new mothers a resource pamphlet during prenatal care or delivery, covering postpartum counseling, shaken baby syndrome prevention, childhood immunization schedules, and newborn screening follow-up. The bill directly affects Medicaid-eligible mothers and newborns in Texas, aiming to simplify access to care during the early postpartum period. These requirements take effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2071 requires child protective services to refer suspected abuse or neglect cases involving medical consultations to specific, independent physicians who weren’t previously involved in the case. It mandates that parents or guardians receive all medical records - including imaging and test results - before referrals and ensures independent medical reviews resolve disagreements about injury causes. The bill also prohibits barriers to parents obtaining records for second opinions or additional testing. This directly affects parents, child welfare departments, hospitals, and healthcare providers involved in abuse investigations. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2254 allows health insurance companies to contract with primary care physicians or primary care physician groups using value-based payment models (like fixed payments for defined services) or traditional fee-for-service arrangements, without classifying these contracts as insurance. It directly affects insurers and primary care providers (family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics physicians/groups), clarifying that such contracts do not make providers "engaged in the business of insurance." The bill prohibits insurers from reducing fees or forcing participation in these arrangements, requiring equal treatment for providers who choose not to join value-based or capitated payment programs. This changes how insurers and primary care providers structure financial agreements for routine patient care.

Maddy summarySB 1019 updates victim definitions in juvenile court cases involving sexual or assaultive offenses against children or people with disabilities. It lowers the age threshold for children covered from 18 to 12 years old and expands protections to include "persons with a disability" as defined by Penal Code Section 22.04 (those 13+ unable to protect themselves due to age or disability). The bill amends Family Code Section 54.031 to apply these definitions to cases under specific Penal Code sections (e.g., sexual offenses, trafficking, or assault). This change applies only to juvenile court cases beginning on or after September 1, 2025.

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.