Maddy summaryHB 1536 establishes a pilot program to provide community-based child welfare services in eligible rural Texas regions where the state previously couldn't secure service providers. The program requires the state to select a local nonprofit (with a resident-led board) or government entity to develop a service plan including early intervention to prevent foster care placements and improve outcomes for rural children and families. It aims to build community-led solutions and create a sustainable, replicable model for delivering child welfare services in underserved areas. The bill defines "eligible rural regions" as catchment areas where two-thirds of counties have populations under 50,000 and the state received no bids for community-based care.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1088 modifies Texas law to extend the deadline for minors to file lawsuits about medical malpractice involving gender transition care. Specifically, it sets a deadline of the claimant's 25th birthday for claims related to puberty suppression drugs, cross-sex hormones, or surgery performed on minors for gender transitioning or reassignment. This provision applies only when the minor was under 12 at the time of treatment (per existing law) and the claim involves malpractice in the provision of these specific treatments. The change takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to claims accruing after that date.
Maddy summaryHB 2103 requires Texas law enforcement agencies and entities employing jailers or full-time telecommunicators to create mental health leave policies. These policies must allow staff to take leave after work-related traumatic events without losing pay, specify the number of available leave days, and protect the user's anonymity. The bill specifically covers county jailers (as defined in Texas law) and Texas Department of Criminal Justice staff handling prisoner security, as well as telecommunicators. Agencies must adopt these policies by September 1, 2025, and may also list local mental health resources for staff. The law does not mandate specific leave durations but requires clear, objective guidelines for eligibility.
Maddy summaryHB 5510, titled the Women and Child Protection Act, creates civil liability for distributing abortion-inducing drugs and establishes a private civil right of action against individuals or organizations that facilitate access to elective abortions. The bill directly affects abortion assistance organizations - defined as entities providing financial support, travel arrangements, childcare, or logistical services to enable abortions - as well as those distributing abortion-inducing drugs. Key provisions include authorizing private lawsuits for damages related to these activities and creating criminal offenses for certain violations. The law harmonizes existing abortion-related provisions in Texas law while focusing on civil enforcement mechanisms rather than criminal penalties for patients.
Maddy summaryHB 4286 updates the territorial boundaries of the Angelina and Neches River Authority to explicitly include 17 specific East Texas counties: Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Henderson, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, and Van Zandt. The bill replaces a prior legal description with a direct list of these counties, clarifying which areas fall under the authority's jurisdiction for water management. It does not alter the authority's functions or create new policies, only formally defining its geographic scope. This procedural change directly affects the 17 counties named and the river authority's administrative boundaries.
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.
Maddy summaryHB 222 clarifies how Texas public school districts must use funds allocated for school safety under the Foundation School Program. It specifies that these funds can be used for: securing school facilities (like infrastructure upgrades and non-razor-wire fencing), employing security personnel (including school resource officers), implementing safety training and mental health programs (such as counselors, threat reporting systems, and restorative practices), and suicide prevention initiatives. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts receiving these state safety allotments. It passed the Texas House on April 17, 2025, and is now pending further action.
Maddy summaryHB 2196 allows public school districts to offer virtual and hybrid courses under Chapter 30B of the Education Code and authorizes the commissioner of education to temporarily adjust how school attendance is calculated during emergencies (like natural disasters or pandemics). This adjustment helps ensure school districts maintain their state funding under the Foundation School Program when students learn remotely. The bill also permits the commissioner to charge a fee related to these modifications. It directly affects Texas public school districts, students, and educators by providing flexibility in attendance tracking during crises while preserving funding stability.
Maddy summaryHB 147 requires Texas livestock owners (cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats) to record their animal identification methods - such as brands, tattoos, or electronic devices - with county clerks using an electronic system. County clerks must maintain these records electronically and send copies to the Texas Animal Health Commission within 30 days of receipt. Owners must update their recorded marks every 10 years, starting six months after September 1, 2031. This replaces paper-based registration with a digital registry to improve tracking and compliance across the state.
Maddy summaryHB 2470 would lower the minimum age to obtain a Texas license to carry a handgun from 21 to 18 years old, directly affecting responsible individuals aged 18-20 who are otherwise eligible under state and federal law. The bill amends Section 411.172(a)(2) of the Government Code to remove the current 21-year requirement, aligning with a federal court ruling that found the prior age limit unconstitutional for this age group. It maintains existing prohibitions, meaning individuals with felony convictions, fugitives, or other disqualifiers would still not qualify. The bill does not change firearm possession rules for those under 18 or alter other eligibility criteria like criminal history.