Rep. Joe Moody

Maddy summaryHB 1716 expands Medicaid counseling access in Texas by allowing recipients to select licensed marriage and family therapist associates, licensed master social workers (pursuing clinical licensure), and licensed professional counselor associates. These providers, who are working toward full licensure, must be reimbursed at 50% of the rate paid to psychiatrists or psychologists for similar services. Reimbursement is capped at 3,000 hours or the supervised practice hours required for full licensure. The bill applies to counseling services provided under Medicaid, including at federally qualified health centers.

Maddy summaryHJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing an occupation tax on financial firms regulated by federal agencies (like stock exchanges, brokers, and clearinghouses) or taxing their securities transactions. It directly affects entities such as stock exchanges, broker-dealers, and other registered securities market operators. The amendment explicitly allows existing taxes like sales taxes, insurance premiums, and general business taxes but blocks new state taxes targeting securities transactions or these specific firms. This is a constitutional change, not a regular law, requiring voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryHB 865 creates legal immunity for federal firearms licensees (like gun stores) who participate in "firearm hold agreements," where a customer voluntarily leaves their legally owned firearm with the licensee for temporary storage. The bill shields these licensees from civil lawsuits if injuries or deaths occur during the agreement or when returning the firearm, unless the licensee acted unlawfully or with gross negligence. This applies only to agreements initiated after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing claims. The law directly affects gun stores offering storage services and their customers using such agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 2066 allows eligible individuals to have arrest records expunged for unlawful handgun carrying offenses committed before September 1, 2021. It specifically applies to people convicted or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for violating Section 46.02(a) of the Penal Code as it existed prior to that date. The bill amends Texas law to require expungement of all related arrest records once a person completes their supervision term, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects individuals with pre-2021 cases involving handgun possession charges under the old legal standard.

Maddy summaryHB 863 creates a statewide database requiring senior independent living communities (residential communities for residents 55+ that operate as housing for older adults) to submit health and safety plans. The database, maintained by a state agency, will include these plans and be accessible to emergency response teams for coordination during crises. Communities that fail to file required plans or violate related rules may face administrative penalties. The database is confidential, and the bill mandates a standard template for health and safety plans to ensure consistency.

Maddy summaryHB 502 expands confidentiality protections for victims of specific offenses by redefining "victim" in Texas law to include individuals harmed by stalking, secret filming (invasive visual recording), or certain sexual assaults (indecent assault). The bill ensures that identifying information about these victims - such as names, addresses, or photos - cannot be disclosed publicly without consent, directly affecting those who experience these crimes. Key provisions clarify that the confidentiality rules apply to victims of these offenses and to anyone involved in the same criminal incident. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2986 amends Texas law to clarify appellate court authority during civil appeals. It allows appellate courts to lift a stay (temporary halt to proceedings) on a party's request if the court determines it's necessary to prevent irreparable harm to a party or the public. This specifically applies to interlocutory appeals (appeals taken before a final judgment) and gives courts discretion to act quickly in urgent cases. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025. It directly affects civil litigants and appellate courts handling cases where immediate harm could occur while appeals are pending.

Maddy summaryHB 1656 would allow licensed paramedics to temporarily detain individuals experiencing a mental health crisis for a preliminary evaluation at a mental health facility when there is an immediate risk of serious harm to the person or others. To do this, paramedics must have authorization from their medical director, believe the person has mental illness and faces substantial risk (based on behavior or severe distress), and determine that obtaining a warrant or involving police would take too long. The paramedic must then transport the person to the nearest appropriate mental health facility and immediately explain the detention reason in plain language, with facility staff required to detail the person’s rights within 24 hours. This bill directly affects paramedics and individuals in acute mental health crises who meet these specific criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 1913, nicknamed "Brooke's Boundary," prohibits registered sex offenders from approaching within a specified distance of the residence of a victim they harmed in a specific offense requiring registration. It directly affects sex offenders who have been convicted of crimes against identifiable victims, restricting their movement near those victims' homes. The law adds this restriction to existing registration requirements under Texas law, ensuring offenders cannot live or travel near victims' residences without authorization. This is a policy change focused on geographic restrictions, not on altering registration procedures or penalties.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.