Rep. Mihaela Pleșa

Maddy summaryHB 786 requires counties with 3.3 million or more residents (like Harris County) to install metal detectors and assign security personnel (constable, deputy, or sheriff) at every public entrance of justice courts. It mandates that counties first use existing courthouse security funds before tapping into general county revenue to cover these costs. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting justice court operations in Texas' largest counties. This is a concrete security requirement with no funding or policy changes beyond the specified court access measures.

Maddy summaryHB 1914 modifies Texas Family Code to address child custody arrangements when a conservator (legal guardian) becomes incapacitated. It allows the other appointed conservator to temporarily assume the incapacitated conservator's parenting time immediately upon incapacitation - defined as a physical/mental condition or incarceration preventing care for the child’s basic needs (food, shelter, health) - until the court issues a permanent modification or the conservator recovers. The bill does not apply if the existing court order already restricted that conservator’s access. It applies only to incapacitation occurring on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 503 requires Texas livestock owners (cattle, hogs, sheep, goats) to register their animal identification marks - such as brands, tattoos, or electronic tags - electronically with county clerks. County clerks must maintain these records electronically and send copies to the Texas Animal Health Commission within 30 days of receipt. The bill updates existing law to mandate electronic record-keeping instead of paper, specifying details like the date of registration and placement location on animals. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting all livestock owners who must comply with the new registration system.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes May 4, 2025, as International Bereaved Mother's Day in Texas. It does not create new laws or policies but aims to raise awareness about the grief experienced by mothers who have lost children through stillbirth, miscarriage, SIDS, or other pregnancy/infant loss. The resolution acknowledges Texas's infant mortality statistics (2,228 infant deaths in 2022) and supports bereaved mothers by validating their experiences and encouraging community solidarity. It directly affects mothers in Texas who have experienced child loss, offering symbolic recognition rather than concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 15 would modify Texas business law to strengthen the state's control over domestic business entities. It requires that internal disputes (like shareholder disagreements) must be resolved in Texas courts only, and allows companies to include in their governing documents a waiver of jury trials for such claims. This applies to all Texas-formed businesses (corporations, LLCs, etc.) and prevents other states' laws from overriding Texas business regulations. The bill does not change how businesses are formed but dictates where internal legal conflicts must be handled. The law would take effect if passed, making Texas the exclusive venue for internal business disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 463 automatically expunges arrest records for individuals charged with certain controlled substance offenses when their case is dismissed under specific conditions. It directly affects defendants whose charges are dismissed due to completion of court programs (veterans, mental health, or pretrial intervention), lab results showing no controlled substance was present, or dismissal due to lack of probable cause. The bill requires courts to issue expungement orders within 30 days of dismissal in cases where lab analysis confirms no controlled substance was found, and prohibits courts from charging fees for this process. This policy change removes barriers to clearing records for eligible individuals without requiring additional court petitions.

Maddy summaryHB 1764 allows certified public accountants (CPAs) licensed in other states to practice in Texas without obtaining a Texas license if their home state's requirements are comparable to Texas standards or if they meet specific education and experience criteria. To qualify, out-of-state CPAs must have passed the uniform CPA exam, completed 150 semester hours in accounting (or equivalent), and have 1-2 years of relevant work experience depending on their educational path. The bill updates Texas law to formalize these standards, requiring verification through NASBA or direct compliance, and maintains existing privileges for qualifying out-of-state CPAs through 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 618 requires certain health benefit plans covering Texas governmental employees and retirees to include coverage for outpatient in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. It applies specifically to basic coverage plans under Chapters 1551, 1575, 1579, and 1601 of the state code. The bill mandates coverage for IVF when the patient and their spouse have at least five years of infertility history or specific medical conditions like endometriosis, tubal blockage, or oligospermia. Plans must cover IVF to the same extent as other pregnancy-related treatments, but only if the procedure uses the spouse's sperm. This policy change directly affects government employees, retirees, and their health insurers under these specific plan types.

Maddy summaryHB 1775 requires Texas law enforcement agencies and response teams to report on evidence collection kits used in sexual assault cases. The bill mandates annual reports (by December 1) detailing unanalyzed kits and kits not taken possession of within legal timeframes, plus biennial reports (odd-numbered years) on sexual assault case data like reports received, investigations, and indictments. These reports must include specific metrics on kits not properly handled and be posted online as a "Statewide Electronic Tracking System Report." The law affects all local law enforcement agencies and county response teams handling sexual assault evidence, with implementation set for September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 421 creates new rules for deep fake generators (websites/apps that let users create AI-generated images/videos). It requires age verification before making explicit deep fakes (depicting real people in sexual or intimate acts), bans creation for anyone under 18, and mandates written consent from people 18+ depicted. Victims or their guardians can sue generators for damages, including mental anguish, attorney fees, and punitive damages. The law directly affects deep fake platforms and individuals whose images are used without consent, particularly minors and those targeted with non-consensual explicit content. It takes effect September 1, 2025.