Sen. Judith Zaffirini

Maddy summaryHB 4361 requires Texas public institutions of higher education to establish standardized emergency notification procedures that comply with the federal Jeanne Clery Act. It mandates that institutions, in consultation with students, faculty, and staff, adopt clear protocols for timely emergency alerts through required systems. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board must adopt these rules promptly after the bill's effective date. The law took effect immediately on June 20, 2025, after being signed by the Governor. This directly affects all public colleges and universities in Texas, ensuring consistent emergency communication practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1562 requires massage school students in Texas to hold a photo ID permit displaying their name, school name, and a photograph, which must be visibly displayed at their school. This applies directly to students enrolled in licensed massage schools across Texas. The bill amends the Occupations Code to establish this requirement and directs the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt implementing rules. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2598 amends Texas Education Code to clarify who qualifies as a "mental health professional" for school services. It explicitly includes school psychologists (as defined in the Occupations Code) alongside other licensed providers like clinical social workers and licensed counselors. The bill also creates a task force to advise on school mental health services, requiring specific representation from parents, school administrators, and mental health professionals. This directly affects school psychologists, mental health service providers, and school districts implementing these services. The changes took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts massage therapy licensing by barring individuals convicted of specific sexual offenses (including certain assault crimes under Texas Penal Code) from obtaining new licenses. It also requires license revocation for current massage therapists or instructors convicted of those offenses or who practice at sexually oriented businesses. The law directly affects massage therapists, schools, and establishments seeking or holding Texas licenses. The policy change takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 53 amends Texas court procedures for cases involving people with mental illness. It changes how notice must be delivered (allowing personal delivery by law enforcement or court-approved methods) and simplifies filing requirements (permitting copies of documents with original copies kept on hand). The bill extends the 72-hour filing deadline for original documents during extreme weather or disasters, with extensions requiring court approval. It also removes a previous requirement that could delay releases. The law took effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4238 prevents creditors and debt collectors from attempting to collect debts from individuals who are victims of identity theft, as verified by a court order. It requires these entities to stop collection efforts within seven business days of receiving proof of identity theft, stop reporting the debt to credit bureaus, and not sell the debt to third parties. The law does not apply to home loans or existing court judgments. This directly affects identity theft victims (who can halt debt collection) and debt collectors (who must comply with these restrictions), effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1973 requires individuals filing family court cases involving parent-child relationships (like custody or adoption) to submit a certified copy of a child's birth certificate if available. If the birth certificate doesn't list both parents or isn't accessible, courts can request alternative proof from any party and must keep all submitted documents sealed for privacy. The bill exempts child support enforcement agencies (Title IV-D) from submitting birth certificates or related proof in their cases. This law applies to cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, and is now effective after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 2443 requires the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to deliver most official documents electronically - such as notices, orders, and correspondence - to license applicants and holders, replacing paper mail. TDLR may mandate individuals provide email addresses for communications, with those addresses kept confidential and exempt from public disclosure under state law. The bill repeals outdated provisions about document delivery and takes effect September 1, 2025, standardizing electronic communication for all TDLR regulatory processes. This change directly affects anyone interacting with TDLR for licensing, renewals, or compliance matters.

Maddy summarySB 387 requires certain judges to post higher bonds based on their court's caseload. Statutory county court judges handling guardianship or probate cases must post bonds of at least $500,000 (with smaller counties requiring $100,000 and larger counties $250,000), while other judges must post bonds between $1,000 and $10,000. The bill applies only to judges presiding over these specific proceedings, excluding probate court judges covered by existing rules and criminal court judges. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and was signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 163 updates Texas law regarding epinephrine auto-injector policies. It exempts schools, sports organizations, and government entities that already have policies for epinephrine systems under other laws from needing separate rules. The bill allows these entities to adopt their own policies for maintaining, administering, and disposing of epinephrine delivery systems. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and repeals prior sections of the Health and Safety Code related to this matter.