Rep. Joe Moody

Maddy summaryHB 3174 authorizes pilot programs in seven Texas counties (Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Nueces, Travis, and Webb) and their hospital districts to reduce the spread of infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The key provision allows anonymous needle and syringe exchange programs, where individuals can trade used equipment for sterile new supplies to prevent blood-borne disease transmission. These programs also require providing education on disease prevention and connecting participants to health and social services. The bill aims to improve public health outcomes while reducing needle-stick injuries to first responders and the public.

Maddy summaryHB 4915 requires Texas courts to appoint lawyers for indigent (low-income) defendants who have a "potentially meritorious claim" challenging their conviction. It specifically applies when a defendant might be innocent, convicted of a more serious offense than they committed, punished under an unconstitutional law, or denied constitutional rights. The court must provide legal representation to pursue post-conviction appeals, such as habeas corpus petitions. This directly affects low-income individuals facing criminal convictions with these specific legal claims.

Maddy summaryHB 5465 requires Texas law enforcement agencies to attempt redirecting individuals arrested for non-violent misdemeanors linked to mental health crises or substance abuse to treatment programs instead of jail. It mandates that such diversion must occur when a suitable treatment center is available, the offense is non-violent, and the crisis likely contributed to the arrest. The bill also establishes a new process for dismissing criminal cases if a defendant lacks capacity due to mental illness or disability, allowing courts to halt proceedings when appropriate. Agencies must annually report their diversion plans to local governments and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 3669 amends Texas' Penal Code to clarify the legal definition of "firearm" for criminal offenses. It specifically excludes antique/curio firearms manufactured before 1899 and their replicas (if they don't use rim/center fire ammunition), as well as "less-lethal projectile devices" like rubber bullets designed to temporarily incapacitate targets with minimal injury risk. The bill creates a new definition for "less-lethal projectile device" in Section 46.01(21). These changes apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior offenses governed by older law. The bill focuses on defining what constitutes a firearm under criminal statutes, not altering penalties.

Maddy summarySB 487 protects the confidentiality of identifying information for victims of specific crimes, directly affecting individuals who experience stalking (under Penal Code §42.072), invasive visual recording (§21.15), or indecent assault (§22.012). The bill amends Texas law to require that courts and law enforcement safeguard victims' personal details, such as addresses or contact information, from public disclosure in legal proceedings. It explicitly defines "victim" in the criminal procedure code to include those subjected to these offenses or part of the same criminal episode. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on May 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3675 prohibits most public employers in Texas from asking about or checking an applicant's criminal history before making a conditional job offer. It allows employers to inform applicants upfront about disqualifying convictions or ask limited questions about specific offenses that would disqualify someone under law. The bill applies to state agencies, local governments, and public universities (excluding independent school districts and licensed law enforcement roles). It takes effect September 1, 2025, and only affects applications submitted after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 3358 clarifies who qualifies as an "emergency service provider" under Texas law for access to critical incident stress management and crisis response services. It expands the definition to specifically include law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services providers, dispatchers, rescue service providers, and staff from district attorney offices (like attorneys and investigators). This change directly affects these professionals by ensuring they are explicitly covered under the state's support services for trauma response. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5561 aims to divert specific foster youth from the juvenile justice system by requiring community referrals for certain cases. It directly affects foster youth under age 12 or those living in general residential care facilities (as defined in Texas law), particularly for minor offenses involving violence. Key provisions include mandating residential child-care facilities to implement approved behavior intervention programs with staff crisis response training to reduce law enforcement involvement, and requiring juvenile boards to prioritize diversion for these youth groups over prosecution or detention. The bill amends Texas Family Code and Human Resources Code sections to establish these policies and monitoring requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington to the list of events eligible for funding under Texas' major events reimbursement program. It amends the definition of "Event" in the Government Code to specifically include "the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington" as a qualifying activity. The change directly affects Arlington event organizers by making the race eligible for state reimbursement funding previously available to other major sports and entertainment events. The bill does not alter the program's funding structure or amounts, only expands the list of qualifying events.

Maddy summaryHB 4944 creates a state grant program to help counties cover transportation costs for low-income people involved in court cases. The bill requires the state comptroller to administer the program, allowing counties to apply annually for funds to pay for transportation to and from court proceedings for indigent litigants (including civil and criminal defendants, their family members, and juvenile cases). Counties must use grant money exclusively for this purpose, with the comptroller establishing rules for applications, deadlines, and monitoring. The program becomes effective September 1, 2025, with the first applications due after January 1, 2026.