Rep. Christina Morales

Maddy summaryHB 3660 creates a new type of protective order in Texas for victims of crimes motivated by bias or prejudice (such as race, religion, or sexual orientation). It requires courts to issue these orders if they find probable cause that a crime was committed due to bias, that the defendant is likely to commit future bias-motivated crimes, and that the crime involved a pattern of such conduct. The order can last for the lifetime of the victim and offender or up to two years, and the victim can request its removal at any time. This bill directly affects victims of bias-motivated offenses and defendants accused of such crimes, expanding protective order options beyond standard family violence cases.

Maddy summaryHB 3450 requires school nurses, athletic coaches, physical education instructors, and other specified staff to maintain certification in CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use from nationally recognized organizations like the American Heart Association. It also mandates that all private schools and open-enrollment charter schools adopt policies providing CPR/AED training to every employee and volunteer. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year, with no exceptions based on AED ownership. This bill directly affects school staff across Texas public, private, and charter schools by requiring standardized emergency response training.

Maddy summaryHB 3447 sets Texas' minimum wage at $18 per hour, effective September 1, 2025, directly affecting most employers and workers covered by state wage laws. Until October 1, 2026, employers must pay the higher of $18 per hour or the federal minimum wage plus 25 cents. Starting October 1, 2026, the minimum wage will be adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), rounded to the nearest cent. The bill repeals a prior Labor Code section and applies to most wage-earning employees in Texas, excluding specific categories referenced in Section 62.057.

Maddy summaryHB 3209 requires carbon monoxide detectors in new residential properties and specific other buildings, effective September 1, 2025. It applies to single-family homes, apartment complexes, student housing, hotels, and fraternity houses built after that date. Property owners must install detectors as specified by rules created by the Health and Human Services Commission, and cannot sell or lease the property without them. The commission will establish detailed requirements for detector placement, installation, and maintenance.

Maddy summaryHB 3059 proposes a paid parental leave program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission. It would require employers with 50+ employees (or those voluntarily contributing under the bill) to fund the program, providing eligible employees up to 40 days of paid leave for their own childbirth or 20 days for adoption, spouse's birth, foster care, or kinship care. To qualify, employees must have worked at least 1,540 hours (or 30+ hours weekly) for the employer in the prior year. Paid leave would cover up to the lesser of the employee's average weekly wage or the state average weekly wage, with all costs borne by employers through mandated contributions. The bill is currently in committee referral.

Maddy summaryHB 2534 gives Texas employees the right to take time off work if they or their child is a victim of family violence or a specific violent felony offense (like sexual assault, assault, or robbery under Texas Penal Code). Employees can use this time off for medical care, counseling, safety planning, legal assistance, or victim services related to the incident. Employers must allow the time off, but employees must provide at least 24 hours' written notice in advance unless it's not feasible. The bill applies only to the employee or their child as victims and does not specify paid or unpaid leave.

Maddy summaryHB 2533 requires school districts under temporary management (like a conservator or board of managers) to return control to the elected school board if all affected campuses achieve acceptable performance ratings. It specifies that campuses must maintain these ratings for two consecutive school years to trigger the return of management authority. The bill directly affects school districts in Texas that have been placed under alternative management due to performance issues. This policy change creates a clear, performance-based pathway for districts to regain full local control without further state intervention. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends Kathleen Martinez, an immigration attorney and founder of Martinez Immigration Global Law Firm in Dallas, for her work helping immigrants gain legal status and her professional recognition, including being named "Best Immigration Lawyer" in Plano (2023) and "Elite Lawyer" (2023). The Texas House passed the resolution on March 13, 2025, to honor her advocacy and community impact, noting her firm's role in reuniting families and her social media outreach with over two million followers. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution, not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally recognizes February 26, 2025, as "University of Houston-Downtown Day" at the Texas State Capitol. The resolution acknowledges the university's role in Houston education and community impact but creates no new laws or obligations. It serves solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment for the university's delegation to attend Capitol events.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution designates May 8 as "Vaccination Day" in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It recognizes May 8 as the anniversary of the 1980 declaration that the world was free of smallpox, highlighting the importance of immunization. The resolution serves as a ceremonial observance to honor vaccine history and public health achievements, with no direct policy or funding changes. It does not affect specific individuals or groups but encourages public awareness of vaccination's role in health.