Rep. Jo Jones

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include the statement that "homosexual conduct is not an acceptable lifestyle," while incorrectly referencing the repealed law.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 1765 restricts the use of "no-knock" entries (police entering a property without announcing their presence or authority) in Texas. It prohibits most magistrates from issuing arrest or search warrants allowing no-knock entries, except for specific judges (district court judges, certain county judges, or municipal judges who are licensed attorneys). The bill requires law enforcement agencies to submit a signed approval from a chief administrator with the warrant request and mandates officers executing such warrants to be clearly identifiable in uniform. This directly affects police departments seeking no-knock warrants and the magistrates who review those requests. The law takes effect upon passage and applies to all warrants issued after its enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 475 requires Texas Medicaid to reimburse healthcare providers who deliver multisystemic therapy services, classified under a specific HCPCS code. It creates a new provider type for these services to streamline enrollment and payment under Medicaid. This directly affects providers offering multisystemic therapy to Medicaid beneficiaries. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not change eligibility for beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryHB 2234 raises the age of criminal responsibility in Texas from 18 to 17 for most offenses. It defines a "child" as someone aged 10-17 or 17-18 who was under juvenile court jurisdiction before turning 18. The bill prevents prosecution for most offenses committed before age 17 (except specific serious crimes like gang-related violence), requiring juvenile court to waive jurisdiction for adult prosecution. These changes apply only to offenses occurring on or after September 1, 2027, with prior cases governed by older laws. The bill passed the Texas Legislature on May 16, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the economic and cultural partnership between Texas and Québec, recognizing their strong trade relationship (with $71.3 billion in trade in 2022) and shared interests in sectors like aerospace and technology. It expresses legislative support for deepening cooperation, particularly highlighting Québec’s government office in Houston and recent high-level meetings. As a ceremonial resolution - not a law with binding provisions - it does not create new policy or directly affect any group. The bill was adopted by the Texas House on May 16, 2025, as a symbolic gesture of bipartisan appreciation for this longstanding partnership.

Maddy summaryHB 1571, also known as Anthony's Law, updates Texas' protective order registry to improve access for safety purposes. It restricts registry access to specific authorized users, including law enforcement officers, prosecutors, attorneys representing victims of family violence, and courts handling violations. The bill requires the registry to automatically notify the court that issued a protective order when someone subject to the order appears in another court for a civil violation or criminal offense. These changes aim to ensure critical safety information reaches relevant parties while preventing unauthorized access.

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 605 amends Texas law to explicitly allow the Harris County Hospital District to hire and commission peace officers, directly affecting the district's security operations. The bill updates Section 281.057 of the Health and Safety Code to include Harris County Hospital District in the list of eligible hospital districts, and revises the Code of Criminal Procedure to add it to the definition of entities that may commission peace officers. This change formalizes the district's existing practice by expanding its legal authority under existing provisions. The bill does not create new security services but clarifies and extends current powers to Harris County Hospital District.

Maddy summaryHB 2695 increases criminal penalties for drug-related offenses when a social media platform is used to facilitate the delivery of a controlled substance. It applies specifically to offenses under Health and Safety Code sections 481.112, 481.1121, 481.1123, 481.113, 481.114, 481.119, 481.120, or 481.122. If proven at trial, using social media to arrange such drug deliveries elevates the offense to the next higher penalty category, adding five years to first-degree felony sentences and doubling the maximum fine. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHJR 148 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas courts to reduce prison sentences for certain individuals. If approved by voters in November 2025, it would authorize the Texas legislature to create specific laws defining when courts can commute (reduce) sentences for inmates serving fixed terms. The exact criteria for who qualifies would be determined by future state laws, not specified in this amendment. This is a procedural proposal requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.