Rep. Donna Howard

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 summaryThis bill (HR 410) is a symbolic resolution recognizing May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Texas. It formally acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to the U.S. since 1654, including their roles in government, military, science, culture, and community life. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect or policy changes - it serves only to honor this heritage through official recognition. The Texas House of Representatives adopted this resolution on March 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryBased solely on the provided context, a summary of HB 1986 cannot be generated. The bill text is unavailable ("This version is not currently available"), the summary section is empty, and no specific provisions or mechanisms are described. The title mentions "regulation of abortion" and "repeal of certain laws," but without the actual text or a substantive summary, no factual details about the bill's content, affected parties, or policy changes can be provided. A proper summary requires the bill's text or a detailed summary, which are not included in the context.

Maddy summaryHB 2146 would create a civil lawsuit for individuals who experience nonconsensual removal or alteration of a condom during sexual contact. It allows victims to sue for actual damages (including mental anguish), court costs, and attorney fees if a condom was intentionally removed or altered without consent before sexual contact without protection. The law applies only to incidents occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. This bill provides a legal remedy for victims but does not criminalize the act.

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 2057 designates October 15 as "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day" in Texas. The bill requires state agencies to observe this day through ceremonies and activities that honor those who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss (including miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, or newborn death) and provide resources to affected families. It does not create new funding or programs but mandates official recognition through state actions. The designation applies to Texas state government operations and would take effect September 1, 2025. This bill directly affects state agencies and public events, not individual citizens or private entities.

Maddy summaryHB 2023 requires health benefit plans that cover prescription contraceptives to also cover emergency contraceptive drugs once per year without a prescription for each enrollee. The bill defines emergency contraceptives as FDA-approved hormonal drugs used after intercourse to prevent pregnancy by blocking fertilization or implantation. It applies only to plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025. This policy change directly affects health insurance plans and their enrollees in Texas, mandating expanded coverage for a specific type of contraceptive.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural resolution granting permission for Boy Scouts of America Troop No. 5 to use the House floor for a ceremony on April 27, 2025, provided the House is not in session that day. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it simply follows existing House rules (Rule 5, Section 21) to allow a public ceremony. The resolution directly involves the Boy Scouts troop and the Texas House of Representatives' scheduling. No other entities or legislation are impacted by this request.

Maddy summaryHB 1432 prevents homeowner associations (HOAs) from banning or restricting specific water- and eco-friendly landscaping practices in their rules. It directly affects HOAs and homeowners by prohibiting restrictions on composting vegetation, installing rain barrels or rainwater systems, using efficient drip irrigation, and choosing drought-resistant or water-conserving turf instead of traditional grass. The bill allows HOAs to still regulate details like composting device placement, rain barrel color, or gravel use, but not the core conservation practices themselves. This changes how HOAs can enforce landscaping rules to support water conservation.

Maddy summaryHB 1289 requires Texas public colleges and universities to implement specific measures to address student hunger. It mandates that campus food vendors help students access SNAP benefits and establishes a state program to support hunger-free campuses. Key provisions include creating campus food pantries, allowing students to donate unused meal plan credits to peers in need, and developing strategies to enroll eligible students in SNAP. The bill also creates a work group to develop best practices for these initiatives. This directly affects all Texas public institutions of higher education and their students facing food insecurity.