Rep. Christian Manuel

Maddy summaryHJR 169 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish two special funds within the Texas State University System for capital projects. The "permanent fund" (funded by appropriations, investments, and donations) and "available fund" (funded by distributions from the permanent fund) would provide dedicated financing for capital needs like construction and equipment at specific Texas State University System institutions. This amendment would require voter approval and create a constitutional mechanism to fund capital projects outside the general state revenue fund, directly affecting eligible component institutions of the Texas State University System.

Maddy summaryHB 3538 establishes rules for Texas' Managed Care Consumer Choice Program, affecting health plans (managed care organizations) seeking contracts to provide services under state health programs. It requires plans to first meet certification, financial solvency, and performance standards before contracting with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The bill ensures program recipients (like those in STAR, CHIP, STAR Kids, or STAR+PLUS) can choose any qualified health plan in their area, while outlining consequences like corrective action plans or enrollment suspensions for non-compliant plans. The law applies specifically to these Medicaid programs but excludes the STAR Health program.

Maddy summaryHB 2946 allows Texas Medicaid managed care organizations to offer nutrition support services (like medically tailored meals or food prescriptions) to Medicaid recipients instead of certain mental health or substance use disorder services, with recipients able to choose whether to use these options. It requires the state to track how often these nutrition services are used and report on their health outcomes every two years, while also considering their costs when setting payment rates for managed care plans. The bill defines "community-based nutrition support organizations" as those employing registered dietitians and providing services like fresh food prescriptions for diet-related health conditions. This policy change directly affects Medicaid recipients and managed care providers in Texas, aiming to expand access to nutrition-based health support within the Medicaid program.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes March 3 and 4, 2025, as "Golden Triangle Days" at the Texas State Capitol. It honors communities in Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange (collectively known as the Golden Triangle region) for gathering in Austin to celebrate their history and economic role as a major industrial and petrochemical hub. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the region's significance and extends goodwill to attendees. It is a ceremonial gesture, not a substantive legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 1754 establishes a minimum one-year duration for certain protective orders in Texas. It amends the Code of Criminal Procedure and Family Code to require that protective orders issued under these statutes be effective for "not less than one year," replacing prior language that allowed shorter terms. If no specific duration is stated in the order, it automatically expires two years after issuance. This bill directly affects victims and offenders in cases involving protective orders under criminal or family law. The changes apply only to orders issued on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1753 amends Texas Family Code to require courts to grant one spouse exclusive occupancy of the primary residence during divorce proceedings if the other spouse has been convicted of certain family violence offenses. Specifically, the bill mandates this order if the adverse party was convicted of a felony involving family violence under Title 5 of the Penal Code or an offense under Section 25.11 (harassment) against the filing spouse or their family/household member. This applies during the pendency of the divorce suit and only in cases with documented prior convictions meeting these criteria. The bill directly affects divorce cases where family violence convictions exist, strengthening protections for victims by making exclusive occupancy mandatory in these specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 1752 would require courts to obtain consent from the victim (or their guardian), the prosecutor, and the defendant before allowing public livestreams or videoconferences during criminal trials involving evidence of sexual acts. The bill mandates that courts must first notify all three parties about the potential public broadcast of such evidence. Without unanimous consent from all three, the evidence cannot be streamed publicly. This rule applies only to criminal cases starting on or after September 1, 2025, leaving pre-existing cases governed by prior law.

Maddy summaryHB 1755 requires Texas courts to inform applicants in family violence protective order cases about specific location restrictions they may impose, including those outlined in Family Code Sections 85.022(b)(3) and (4). During hearings, judges must specifically ask applicants whether they want these location restrictions included in the order if family violence is found likely to recur. The bill amends Family Code Sections 84.007 (requiring court notification and inquiry) and 85.022 (mandating courts to consider applicants' wishes regarding location restrictions). It applies to all protective order hearings held on or after September 1, 2025, regardless of when the application was filed. This directly affects victims seeking protection and courts handling family violence cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1756, titled the Healthcare Expanded and Accessed Locally for Texans (HEAL Texans) Act, amends Texas law to clarify the licensing and scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). The bill defines APRNs as including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists, and specifies that their professional nursing practice may include administering medications or treatments as ordered by authorized healthcare providers. It establishes clear definitions for key terms like "board" (Texas Board of Nursing) and "professional nursing" to standardize practice guidelines. This legislation directly affects APRNs and healthcare facilities across Texas by formalizing their scope of practice within existing legal parameters. The bill does not expand new prescribing authority but clarifies current practice boundaries.

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.