Rep. Lauren Simmons

Maddy summaryHB 1880 would require most Texas employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees. Employees would earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, with a yearly maximum of 64 hours for employers with 15+ staff and 48 hours for smaller employers. Unused leave can be carried over to the next year, and the bill establishes administrative penalties for noncompliant employers. This applies to private-sector employers not covered by state or federal government exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1878 prohibits Texas open-enrollment charter schools from using state funds received for their operations to support schools located outside Texas. The bill specifically bans charter school operators from spending these funds on out-of-state institutions, with an exception for contracted goods or services provided to the charter school itself. Violations trigger a penalty where the state commissioner withholds three times the misused amount from future funding, and repeated violations (including spending $100,000+ in violation) can lead to charter revocation. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2190 would create legal immunity from criminal liability for Texas health care practitioners (such as physicians, nurses, and hospital staff) when providing health care services, as long as harm wasn't caused by criminal negligence, recklessness, or intentional acts. The bill applies to services delivered in licensed facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and ambulatory surgical centers, or by licensed professionals within their scope of practice. It explicitly states this immunity doesn't override existing legal protections under other laws. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1881 requires Texas Southern University to conduct a study on establishing a medical school at the university. The study must evaluate the need, costs, accreditation timeline, and the university’s capacity to address urban health challenges like healthcare access gaps, disparities, and maternal mortality in Texas cities. Texas Southern University must submit a report by September 1, 2026, to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, including recommendations for future action. This bill does not create the medical school but mandates a feasibility study to inform potential future decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1882 allows businesses in Texas to establish employee resource groups (like diversity teams) or labor unions, as well as inclusive workplace practices, without facing liability. It specifically shields businesses from lawsuits claiming harm solely due to creating these groups or practices. The law applies directly to all Texas businesses operating under the state's business code. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and creates new protections in the Business & Commerce Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1884 establishes a statewide sickle cell disease registry in Texas to collect and analyze patient data for improved treatment and research. It requires hospitals and other treatment facilities to submit case data to the Texas Department of Health, which must maintain a centralized, confidential record of all sickle cell disease cases in the state. The registry will include patient records and other relevant information, with strict confidentiality protections aligned with HIPAA and state health privacy laws. The department must publish annual reports on the data to the legislature and share findings with medical professionals and the public to support better care. This bill directly affects health care facilities that treat sickle cell disease patients and aims to enhance treatment strategies through data-driven insights.

Maddy summaryHB 2058 requires hospitals with specific maternal care designations to provide supportive counseling and medical cooling devices (like specialized blankets or cradles) to parents and families following a perinatal death or stillbirth. It creates a grant program to help these hospitals cover costs for staff training on compassionate care and purchasing/maintaining cooling devices. The bill also establishes a hospital recognition program for facilities excelling in perinatal palliative care. These provisions directly affect Texas hospitals licensed under Chapter 241 that serve maternal care patients. The law aims to improve access to and quality of grief support services for families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.

Maddy summaryHB 1601 prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in public accommodations like restaurants, hotels, and stores across Texas. It bans businesses from denying services or segregating customers for these reasons, while exempting religious organizations unless they operate for profit under specific federal tax rules. The bill defines key terms like "public accommodation" (businesses serving the public) and "discriminatory practice" to clarify prohibited actions. It directly affects businesses open to the public and individuals facing discrimination in these settings, creating legal recourse for those harmed.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia and related disorders. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and other eligible organizations for research into dementia causes, prevention strategies, treatments, and symptom mitigation. It establishes oversight committees to manage grants, ensure compliance, and requires annual public reports detailing funded projects and recipients. The institute is set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless extended under Texas Sunset Act procedures.