Rep. Lauren Simmons

Maddy summaryHB 2477 requires certain group health benefit plans for Texas governmental employees and retirees to cover doula services beginning January 1, 2026. The bill defines "doula services" as nonmedical support during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum periods - including emotional and physical assistance - excluding medical care. It mandates coverage through new provisions in Texas Insurance Code sections covering group benefits programs, basic plans, and health coverage plans. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, with coverage applying to plan years starting January 1, 2026. This policy change directly affects state and local government employees, retirees, and their health plans.

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 summaryHB 2473 creates a state fund to help eligible Texas homeowners with delinquent residential property insurance premiums. It directly affects homeowners whose primary residence is a homestead with an appraised value under $2 million, who face economic hardship and owe at least one overdue premium payment. The program, administered by the Texas Department of Insurance, uses state funds to pay delinquent premiums directly to insurers, not to homeowners. To qualify, applicants cannot have received this relief before, and the fund must have sufficient funds to cover all eligible delinquent payments. The bill establishes eligibility criteria and administrative procedures for this emergency relief program.

Maddy summaryHCR 103 is a symbolic concurrent resolution expressing Texas' support for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's application to the federal Cell and Gene Therapy Access Model (CGT Access Model). The resolution supports Texas' effort to join this CMS program, which aims to create outcomes-based payment agreements between states, manufacturers, and CMS to improve access to high-cost cell and gene therapies for Medicaid patients with rare diseases. It does not change any laws or create new programs - it merely states legislative backing for Texas' application to test this model. The resolution directly affects Texas Medicaid beneficiaries by potentially expanding access to transformative therapies while seeking to lower long-term state healthcare costs.

Maddy summaryHB 2493 requires eviction-related service businesses (like companies offering help with eviction notices or court filings) to provide clear written disclosures to tenants. Specifically, they must include information about free legal aid options, detailed descriptions of their services, tenant rights (including the importance of attending court hearings), and notice that similar services may be available through nonprofits at no cost. The bill also prohibits these businesses from advising tenants not to attend eviction court proceedings. It exempts government agencies and legal aid organizations from these requirements. Violations would be treated as deceptive trade practices under Texas consumer protection law.

Maddy summaryHB 2138 prohibits discrimination in foster care based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It applies to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, child welfare agencies, foster home licensors, and others involved in foster care decisions. The bill bans adverse actions - such as denying foster home licensing or making placement decisions - against individuals or families for these reasons. This directly affects foster care providers, children in foster care, and agencies managing foster care services. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2141 amends Texas Penal Code Section 22.12 to explicitly exempt healthcare providers from criminal prosecution when lawfully providing gender-affirming care with patient consent. The bill defines "gender-affirming care" as medical services affirming a person's gender identity when it differs from their biological sex. It specifies this exemption applies only to care performed by licensed providers under state/federal law, not to general medical procedures. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, and would not apply to offenses committed before that date.

Maddy summaryHB 1989 establishes standardized definitions for pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths in Texas, clarifying that these terms include deaths occurring during or within one year of pregnancy. The bill requires all maternal mortality and morbidity data to be confidential, protects healthcare providers from separate reporting obligations when reviewing such cases, and mandates reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by members of the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee. It also creates a work group to develop a statewide maternal mortality and morbidity data registry. These changes aim to improve data collection and privacy while supporting the committee's review processes.

Maddy summaryHB 1883 requires the board of trustees for Texas state employees' health benefits to create a plan covering medically necessary health care and treatment as determined by a participant's treating physician or provider. It mandates that this coverage be provided under the state employees group benefits program, with the board allowed to adopt implementing rules. The policy change applies only to health benefit plans starting January 1, 2026, and the bill takes effect September 1, 2025. This bill directly affects Texas state employees enrolled in the group benefits program by standardizing coverage for physician-approved care.

Maddy summaryHB 1877 restricts Texas school district superintendents from receiving financial benefits for personal services performed outside their district. It prohibits superintendents from accepting payments from entities doing business with their district, education service providers related to curriculum/administration, or other school districts. For other entities (like charter schools or universities), any financial benefit requires board approval at an open meeting. The bill clarifies that reasonable expense reimbursements do not count as financial benefits. This applies to benefits received on or after the bill's effective date.