Rep. Christina Morales

Maddy summaryHR 1028 designates May 21, 2025, as "Texas Capitol Staff Appreciation Day" to symbolically recognize legislative staff members for their work supporting Texas lawmakers. This ceremonial resolution, adopted by the Texas House of Representatives, expresses formal appreciation for staff employed in state lawmaker offices and legislative agencies. It has no legal effect, funding requirements, or policy changes - it solely serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill passed the House on May 23, 2025, and is now enrolled.

Maddy summaryHB 50 requires healthcare providers to obtain patient consent before conducting blood screening tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to inform patients they can opt out of the test. If a screening test is positive, providers must offer information about available healthcare, prevention, and support services. The bill applies to all medical screenings for STDs in Texas and takes effect January 1, 2026, after the Health and Human Services Commission adopts implementing rules. It does not change existing testing protocols but adds a consent requirement and post-positive support obligation for providers.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 6) is a non-binding commemorative measure by the Texas House of Representatives. It honors six construction workers who died in the March 26, 2024, Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, by commemorating the first anniversary of the tragedy. The resolution specifically names the deceased workers - Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, Carlos Daniel Hernández, Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, and Jose Mynor Lopez - and directs that an official copy be sent to their families. It does not create new laws or policies, but serves as a symbolic tribute to their lives.

Maddy summarySB 610 requires the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to establish an anti-trafficking unit, identify businesses in licensed industries affected by human trafficking, and coordinate with law enforcement, the Attorney General’s office, and anti-trafficking organizations. It directly affects licensed businesses (e.g., spas, massage parlors, or other regulated industries) by enabling TDLR to conduct inspections and investigations for trafficking indicators. The bill mandates TDLR to adopt rules for these inspections and protects victim identities by making information identifying trafficking victims confidential, exempting it from public disclosure under state law. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

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 2621 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to record and keep live video feeds from its cameras for at least 30 days. These recordings are confidential and cannot be disclosed publicly, except when shared with police for criminal investigations. The law applies to all video cameras used by TxDOT in its operations and takes effect on September 1, 2025. This policy change directly affects TxDOT's video management practices and limits public access to these recordings.

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 4685 requires fire safety inspections at Texas public and private schools (including charter schools) to include specific checks of medical equipment. Inspectors must verify that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are functional (checking pads, battery, and status lights) and confirm vaccines/over-the-counter medications on campus have not expired. The law mandates that inspection reports document these findings and detail how school administrators were notified of results. This bill applies to all schools subject to fire safety inspections under state or local requirements and takes effect September 1, 2025.