Rep. Matt Shaheen

Maddy summaryHB 1021 expands telehealth coverage under certain health insurance plans by clarifying which healthcare providers can offer telemedicine services. It specifically allows pharmacists to provide telehealth services through insurance plans when meeting defined qualifications, such as holding a nursing license or completing an approved credentialing process. The bill also prohibits health boards from requiring in-person counseling for telehealth services, making it easier for patients to access care remotely. This applies to new health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1028 allows small Texas political subdivisions (with 75,000 or fewer residents and no local newspaper) to publish required public notices using non-newspaper methods instead of traditional print. These entities may use social media, free newspapers, school publications, utility bills, direct mail, or digital newsletters for notices mandated by other laws. Notices must be posted online for two weeks on a searchable government website without registration fees, and the subdivision must hold a public meeting about the new method before implementation. They must also report their alternative notice method to the Attorney General, who will publish a statewide list of participating entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1141 prohibits Texas public schools from suspending homeless students for specific conduct - such as weapons possession, violent offenses, or drug-related activity - unless the incident occurs on school property or during school-sponsored events. The bill also repeals the requirement for schools to implement a "positive behavior program" under Section 37.0013 of the Education Code. These changes directly affect homeless students in Texas public schools and school districts that previously operated under the mandated behavior program. The law aims to reduce suspensions for homeless students while eliminating a specific program requirement for schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1095 modifies Texas public school assessment rules by prohibiting the use of certain standardized test results as the sole factor in teacher evaluations or pay decisions. It allows school districts to adopt "adaptive, growth-based" assessments - tools that adjust difficulty during testing based on student answers and track academic progress over time - to replace some required state exams. The bill requires the state education commissioner to seek a federal waiver to implement these alternatives under the Every Student Succeeds Act. This directly affects public school students (through new assessment methods) and teachers (by changing evaluation criteria), while emphasizing progress tracking over static test scores.

Maddy summaryBased solely on the provided context, this bill's title indicates it relates to displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools, but the actual bill text is unavailable (noted as "not currently available" with a PDF reference). The bill was filed on November 12, 2024, and referred to the Public Education committee on March 7, 2025. No specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are described in the available information. Without access to the full bill text or summary details, a substantive policy summary cannot be provided.

Maddy summaryHB 1158 requires Texas public schools to obtain written parental consent before providing human sexuality instruction to students. The bill mandates that schools give parents a separate, dedicated notice at least 14 days before such instruction begins, prohibiting bundling this request with other consent forms. It directly affects students in public schools receiving human sexuality education and their parents, who must provide written approval. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary teaching certificate for former military service members and first responders who wish to teach career and technology education. It allows these individuals to qualify for certification by substituting their military or first responder service experience for traditional degree requirements, such as accepting an associate degree with 48 months of service or a bachelor's degree with 60 credit hours and a 2.5 GPA. The legislation also mandates that school districts assign mentor teachers to these new instructors for at least two years. The changes would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 911 designates June 24 as "Celebration of Life Day," adding it as a state holiday in Texas. The bill amends the Government Code to include this date in the list of official state holidays, alongside existing observances like Texas Independence Day and San Jacinto Day. This change affects state government operations, requiring agencies to close on June 24 each year starting September 1, 2025. The bill does not alter other holiday provisions or provide additional funding.

Maddy summaryHB 758 requires every Texas public school district to have at least one armed security officer present during regular school hours at each campus with an instructional facility. School boards must determine the appropriate number of officers for their campuses, but must ensure a minimum of one officer is on duty daily. The law applies to all campuses meeting the definition of an instructional facility under Education Code Section 46.001. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHB 612 would establish an education savings account program, allowing families to use funds for educational expenses like tuition, books, or tutoring at participating schools. It includes a tax credit for insurance premiums related to contributions made to this program and specifies that attorney's fees must be awarded in legal challenges to educational choice laws. The bill's title indicates it would directly affect families using savings accounts and educational institutions participating in the program. Note: The full bill text is unavailable, so this summary is based solely on the title and cannot detail specific eligibility, funding mechanisms, or implementation rules.