Rep. Donna Howard

Maddy summaryHB 868 requires educational materials distributed through Texas' Thriving Texas Families Program to be medically accurate, scientifically supported, presented factually without pressure, and free from religious endorsement. It directly affects program administrators and providers who create or distribute these materials. The bill mandates three specific standards: content must be evidence-based, delivered neutrally, and avoid promoting any religious ideology. These requirements take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 772 modifies Texas' immunization registry rules to clarify patient consent and exclusion processes. It requires healthcare providers to obtain written or electronic consent before adding immunization data to the registry, and allows individuals or their representatives to request exclusion at multiple points (e.g., during birth, after each vaccination, or online). Once excluded, individuals need not re-request exclusion, and the registry must include clear instructions on how to opt out. The bill directly affects all Texas residents receiving vaccinations, as it governs how their immunization data is collected and managed within the state's public health system. The changes focus solely on data privacy procedures, not vaccination requirements or public health policies.

Maddy summaryHB 845 allows pharmacists to provide prescription medications for certain acute conditions after performing specific simple lab tests, under a physician's written protocol. It directly affects pharmacists and patients seeking rapid treatment for conditions like strep throat (using rapid strep tests) or influenza (using rapid flu tests). The bill expands pharmacists' role by enabling them to dispense medications for these conditions without a full prescription, provided the test is a federally "waived" clinical laboratory test. This change applies only to acute, short-term illnesses identified through these specific tests, with the Texas Board of Pharmacy required to establish protocol standards. The bill does not alter existing prescription requirements for chronic conditions.

Maddy summaryHCR 8 is a concurrent resolution directing the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) to name its middle school gymnasium the "Robert Rives Gymnasium." It honors Robert Rives, a TSD alumnus who taught at the school for over 40 years, served as its first football coach (1894-1898), and was inducted into the TSD Alumni Hall of Fame. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally requests the school to adopt this naming as a tribute to Rives' legacy. The resolution applies directly to the Texas School for the Deaf and its Governing Board.

Maddy summaryHB 653 prohibits Texas state and local governments from restricting the purchase, use, or access to information about contraceptives - including emergency contraceptives. The bill defines "contraceptive" and "emergency contraceptive" under new Health and Safety Code provisions, ensuring individuals can obtain these services without government interference. It directly affects Texas residents seeking contraceptive care or information, particularly in public health contexts. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, and applies to all state and local governmental entities.

Maddy summaryHB 607 prohibits healthcare providers from discriminating against patients based on age, race, disability, immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression. The bill directly affects patients seeking healthcare services and healthcare providers operating within the state. While the specific enforcement mechanisms and scope aren't detailed in the available context (as the full bill text is listed as "coming soon"), the title indicates it would establish explicit protections against these forms of discrimination in healthcare settings. The bill is currently in early stages (filed November 2024, referred to Public Health March 2025), so no further details are available.

Maddy summaryHB 650 allows school districts to receive a credit for prepaying the cost of attendance credits under the public school finance system. This bill directly affects school districts that purchase attendance credits to meet state funding requirements. The key provision would enable districts to apply prepayments toward future obligations, potentially improving cash flow. The bill was referred to the Public Education committee after its first reading on March 4, 2025. (Note: Full bill text is unavailable in the provided context.)

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 536 is unavailable in the provided context, and the title alone ("Relating to covered benefits under the child health plan") does not specify concrete policy details. Without access to the full bill content, key provisions, affected populations, or mechanisms cannot be described. The bill has been filed and referred to the Public Health committee but lacks sufficient detail for a substantive summary. For accurate information, consult the official bill document or PDF referenced in the context.

Maddy summaryHB 595 would adjust the basic funding amounts and guaranteed yield for public schools under the state's Foundation School Program to account for inflation. This change ensures school districts receive annual funding increases that match rising costs, directly affecting public school budgets. The bill modifies the state's school finance formula to automatically adjust these amounts based on inflation data. The adjustment aims to maintain the real value of school funding over time without requiring new legislative action each year.

Maddy summaryHB 528's bill text is not available in the provided context, preventing a detailed summary. The title indicates it would require public schools to provide certain parents with notice about incidents and risks related to their child, including suicide prevention materials. Without the full bill text, specific mechanisms, scope of "certain parents," or exact notice requirements cannot be confirmed. For a complete understanding, consult the official bill document or PDF.