Rep. Penny Morales Shaw

Maddy summarySB 1784 requires Texas health care providers to provide patients with written notice at least 60 days before initiating debt collection for unpaid health care services or supplies. This applies to all health care providers collecting patient debts, directly affecting both providers and patients facing billing disputes. The law mandates the notice must be sent in writing before any collection action begins, giving patients time to address the debt. The requirement takes effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to debt collection efforts started on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 2081 establishes the Building Better Futures Program to provide educational and occupational skills training for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Texas public and private colleges. The program requires participating institutions to have U.S. Department of Education approval for transition programs, implement selective admissions, and award certificates upon completion. It exempts participating programs from certain existing education code requirements (Sections 61.0512 and 61.822) and creates a competitive funding process administered by the Texas Education Agency. The bill directly affects students with disabilities seeking inclusive higher education opportunities and the institutions offering these specialized programs, effective immediately after the Governor signed it on May 26, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Texas counties to contract with local municipalities or emergency services districts to administer and enforce county fire codes, rather than handling it directly. It directly affects counties, their municipalities, and emergency services districts by changing how fire code enforcement is managed. The key provision requires county fire marshals to delegate enforcement to contracted entities under written agreements, as specified in the bill's amendments to local government code. The changes take effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 554 creates a new window for fireworks sales in Texas counties that approve it, specifically allowing sales from June 14 through June 19 (Juneteenth). This directly affects retail fireworks sellers in counties where commissioners courts have approved the sale period. The bill amends existing law to add this Juneteenth window to the list of authorized seasonal sale periods, alongside existing dates like Independence Day and July 4. It became effective immediately after the governor signed it on May 26, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 220 requires Texas healthcare facilities treating sexual assault survivors to provide specific care standards. It mandates: forensic medical exams per state codes, private waiting areas, access to sexual assault advocates (if available), crisis center contact information, private treatment rooms (if available), STI prophylaxis when needed, free showers (if facilities offer them), and emergency contraception with consent and clinical indication. The bill directly affects sexual assault survivors seeking medical care and healthcare facilities across Texas. If passed, these requirements would take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia causes, prevention, and treatment. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and research groups to expand dementia-related studies and create jobs. It establishes three committees to oversee funding and research priorities, with the program set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless renewed under Texas law. The bill directly affects Texas research institutions receiving grants and aims to improve dementia health outcomes for state residents. This legislation became law after being signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1392 amends Texas Tax Code Section 1.06 to automatically postpone property tax payment deadlines if the local tax collector's office is closed on the due date. This directly affects property owners in Texas counties, cities, or school districts who would otherwise face penalties for late payments on days when tax offices are closed (e.g., weekends, holidays, or unexpected closures). The bill ensures payments made on the next regular business day are considered timely, eliminating penalties for missed deadlines due to office closures. It takes effect January 1, 2026, and represents a procedural adjustment to existing tax payment rules.

Maddy summaryHB 3135 creates specialty license plates for retired firefighters in Texas, directly affecting eligible retired personnel who served as volunteer firefighters certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or the State Firefighters' Association, or as career fire protection staff under state law. The bill requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to design and issue these plates at no cost to qualifying individuals. It defines "retired firefighter" specifically to include both certified volunteers and career personnel meeting certain criteria. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, making these plates available to eligible retirees without additional fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1244 allows landowners transferring qualified open-space land to new owners to continue receiving special property tax treatment if the new owner uses the land "materially the same way" as the previous owner, with oversight by the same individuals. It creates a process for new owners to file late applications for this tax classification, accepting them until either the tax delinquency date or one year after the transfer date. The bill applies to land previously classified as open-space under Texas tax law. This change aims to simplify transitions for landowners while maintaining consistent tax treatment for qualifying properties. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHR 1028 designates May 21, 2025, as "Texas Capitol Staff Appreciation Day" to symbolically recognize legislative staff members for their work supporting Texas lawmakers. This ceremonial resolution, adopted by the Texas House of Representatives, expresses formal appreciation for staff employed in state lawmaker offices and legislative agencies. It has no legal effect, funding requirements, or policy changes - it solely serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill passed the House on May 23, 2025, and is now enrolled.