Rep. Jo Jones

Maddy summaryHB 936 prohibits public Texas universities from revoking athletic scholarships due to student athletes' injuries, illnesses, or disabilities - including mental health conditions - regardless of whether the condition is temporary or permanent. The bill only allows scholarship revocation if the injury or disability resulted from the athlete violating the institution's student code of conduct. It applies to all athletic scholarships awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond. This directly affects student athletes at public Texas colleges who might otherwise lose financial aid after medical issues.

Maddy summaryHB 765 requires Texas law enforcement agencies to ensure full-time peace officers (not reserves) who receive benefits like retirement coverage obtain liability insurance. This insurance must cover damages from any misconduct - including intentional or negligent acts - committed by officers while on duty. The state insurance commissioner must set minimum coverage standards to ensure victims can be compensated. The law applies only to officers hired on or after September 1, 2026, with rules to be adopted by January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 816 establishes a licensing and regulatory framework for youth sports programs in Texas, requiring programs that provide instruction in Olympic or UIL-sponsored sports to children in grades K-12 (or equivalent home-schooled ages) to obtain a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The bill creates a Youth Sports Program Advisory Board with nine members, including medical specialists (orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, and a youth psychologist), a law enforcement representative, and public members, to advise the department on technical matters. It authorizes the department to impose civil penalties for non-compliance and collect fees to fund the licensing program. This directly affects non-school-affiliated youth sports organizations operating in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 692 requires public and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas to notify parents in writing if they lack a full-time nurse (or equivalent coverage) for more than 30 consecutive instructional days in a school year. Schools must provide this notice by the 30th instructional day after the shortage begins, offering bilingual options for non-English speaking families and retaining copies. Schools may post notices online via a three-click accessible link on their website. The law applies to all schools except those with fewer than 10,000 students and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 716 changes penalties for failing to follow fire marshal orders and grants specific county peace officers authority to issue citations for fire safety violations. It upgrades penalties: first-time violations become Class B misdemeanors (previously Class C), with Class A misdemeanors if injury/death occurs and state jail felonies for two or more prior violations. The bill also allows peace officers certified as fire inspectors in large counties (population 4 million+) or adjacent counties to issue citations for fire safety violations in unincorporated areas. These citations apply only to violations under Section 352.022 or fire safety orders by county commissioners courts. The bill directly affects property owners/occupants who ignore fire safety orders and county peace officers in designated jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryHB 588 requires sheriffs and deputies to ensure continuity of medication for defendants released from jail-based or outpatient competency restoration programs. It mandates that defendants receive prescribed medications (including psychotropic drugs) unless a physician directs otherwise, with jail physicians required to document any medication changes after consulting the treating physician. The bill also establishes state reimbursement for sheriffs covering medication costs. This directly affects defendants in county custody transitioning from mental health treatment programs, aiming to prevent treatment disruptions during court proceedings. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 515 requires Texas public school districts to adopt written policies banning student use of personal electronic devices (like smartphones) during school hours. Students must store devices in lockable containers provided by the district, with exceptions for medical needs requiring written documentation from a healthcare provider. Districts must also report on policy effectiveness to the Texas Education Agency, including impacts on student behavior, mental health, and feedback from students and staff. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) passed by the Texas House of Representatives. It formally honors the "Divine Nine" historically Black Greek organizations - Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Iota Phi Theta - during Black History Month. The resolution expresses the House's recognition of their history of academic excellence, community service, leadership development, and contributions to social justice. It directs the House to send an official copy to the Divine Nine as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes), adopted by the Texas House of Representatives. It honors the Delta Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at the University of Texas at Austin for its Founders Week celebration in February 2025. The resolution recognizes the chapter’s history since 1959, its community service work in areas like education and women's empowerment, and its adherence to the sorority’s mission. It expresses the House’s "high regard" and extends best wishes to the chapter members for their future efforts.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 141) designates February 11, 2025, as "University of Houston Day at the State Capitol" for ceremonial recognition. It does not create new laws or policies; it is a symbolic gesture honoring the university's contributions. The resolution acknowledges the university's role in education, research, health programs, and athletics, but the recognition itself has no direct effect on students, staff, or state operations. As a procedural resolution, it requires no implementation or funding.