Maddy summarySB 469 expands Medicaid coverage for counseling services by allowing recipients to choose associate-level providers (licensed marriage and family therapist associates, licensed master social workers pursuing clinical licensure, and licensed professional counselor associates) who are working toward full licensure. The bill requires Medicaid to reimburse these providers at 50% of the rate paid to licensed psychiatrists or psychologists, with a cap of 3,000 hours or the required clinical practice hours for full licensure. This directly affects Medicaid recipients seeking counseling and associate-level providers who currently cannot be reimbursed under Medicaid. The policy change aims to increase access to mental health services while maintaining cost controls through specific reimbursement rates and hour limits.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 283) formally recognizes Laura Rogers, Sherman County District Clerk and former paramedic, for saving a man's life at the Texas State Capitol on May 29, 2024. It commends her quick actions - performing CPR, using an AED, and assisting EMS - after she noticed a health emergency during a Senate hearing. The resolution, adopted by the Texas Senate on March 18, 2025, expresses the Senate's high regard and provides Rogers with an official copy as a token of appreciation. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy impact or direct effect on legislation.
Maddy summarySB 1971 modifies evidence rules in child abuse/neglect cases filed by Texas government entities (like child protective services). It prohibits using statements made during substance use disorder treatment (Sec. 104.101), mental health treatment (Sec. 104.102), or to mandated reporters (Sec. 104.103) unless independently corroborated. It also protects alleged abusers from being compelled to testify or having their refusal used against them (Sec. 104.104). These changes directly affect individuals in treatment, mandated reporters, and alleged abusers in child welfare court cases. The bill aims to encourage treatment participation and protect confidentiality while maintaining evidence standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 1987) amends Texas Family Code to clarify child support obligations for parents whose parental rights have been terminated. It requires financially able parents to support children in foster care (with the state as guardian) or children conceived from specific crimes (like assault or sexual offenses), until the child turns 18 or graduates high school - whichever is later - or until adoption, disability removal, or death. The bill also expands grounds for termination to include cases where parents left children in immediate danger causing serious harm or failed to provide support for one year. It applies directly to parents whose rights were terminated under these specific circumstances, ensuring ongoing support for affected children.
Maddy summarySB 1969 waives license renewal fees for faculty members teaching in specific high-demand licensed fields at Texas public colleges and universities. It applies to instructors holding licenses for professions like registered nurses, pharmacists, engineers, and certain educators (as listed in Section 1(b)). The bill requires state agencies issuing these licenses to eliminate renewal fees for qualifying faculty or adjunct professors teaching in their licensed field. This policy change takes effect September 1, 2025, directly reducing costs for eligible instructors at public higher education institutions.
Maddy summarySB 1970 requires real estate brokers and sales agents to publicly advertise listed properties within one business day of a listing contract, unless the seller provides a written waiver. Brokers must also share property information with buyer agents and show the property to prospective buyers at the seller's direction. The seller's waiver must use a state-approved form explaining risks like reduced visibility, fewer offers, and potential difficulty selling at favorable terms. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas public school districts and charter schools to establish paid parental leave policies for classroom teachers. Teachers with at least 12 months of service and 1,250 hours worked in the prior year receive 40 days of paid leave for a birth (or spouse's birth) or 20 days for adoption/foster care of a child under three. Teachers with less service must use all available paid leave first, then take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. School districts will receive funding to cover paid leave costs, and policies must be adopted by September 1, 2025, for the 2025-2026 school year.
Maddy summarySB 1799 would revise Texas' motor vehicle emissions inspection program to align with the federal minimum requirement under the Clean Air Act, requiring inspections only at vehicle title transfers instead of more frequent checks. The bill mandates the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to develop a revised program plan for EPA approval, eliminate all other inspection requirements (like annual checks), and submit recommended statutory changes to the legislature. If approved by the EPA, the revised program would take effect on September 1, 2025, directly affecting vehicle owners by reducing inspection frequency and allowing counties to participate in implementation. The bill also includes a provision to sunset if Congress repeals or significantly amends the federal Clean Air Act.
Maddy summarySB 1731 exempts qualifying corporations from Texas franchise tax if they operate an FAA-licensed spaceport critical to U.S. Department of Defense contracts for spaceflight or launch services. The exemption requires both: (1) the spaceport must be federally licensed, and (2) the corporation must provide services under a DoD contract. This tax relief applies only to franchise tax reports due on or after September 1, 2025, the bill's effective date. The law directly affects corporations operating spaceports supporting national defense launch operations.
Maddy summarySB 1797 removes existing requirements for state appointing authorities to consider race or ethnicity when filling positions on statewide boards, commissions, or agencies. It amends two sections of the Government Code to delete language mandating that appointments reflect "racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity" or "representation by all population groups... with regard to race, and ethnicity." The bill directly affects the governor and other appointing officials when selecting members for state entities with statewide jurisdiction. It eliminates a specific policy mechanism for promoting diversity in appointments but does not create new requirements for such considerations.