Sen. Royce West

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Texas child welfare regulations by exempting certain contractors providing foster care services from needing a child-placing agency license, while requiring them to still follow all other safety and health laws. It adds specific immunization requirements for children entering care facilities, including vaccines for diseases like measles and hepatitis A. The bill also increases required liability insurance coverage for facilities from $100,000 to $300,000 per incident to protect children. These changes apply directly to child welfare service providers, facilities, and the children in their care.

Maddy summaryHB 647 allows Texas driver's license holders who have had vision-correcting surgery to remove restrictions requiring corrective lenses. To qualify, license holders must submit a written statement from a licensed physician or optometrist confirming surgical correction and pay a required fee. The Texas Department of Public Safety must then mail a new license without the restriction, except for individuals required to register under Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (sex offender registry). The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and changes the process for removing this specific license restriction.

Maddy summaryHB 33, titled the "Uvalde Strong Act," requires Texas public and charter schools to comply with additional safety and operational requirements related to active shooter incidents and emergencies. It amends the Education Code to mandate adherence to existing rules covering student data systems, criminal background checks, discipline practices, health/safety protocols, bullying prevention, and staff reporting obligations. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools by expanding their compliance obligations under current safety frameworks. It does not create new rules but requires schools to follow more existing provisions related to emergency preparedness and student safety. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 3153 requires facilities like residential treatment centers, juvenile detention centers, and homeless shelters to conduct criminal history checks and employment verifications for all staff, volunteers, and contractors who may have direct contact with children. It applies to the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, counties, and municipalities. The law mandates that facilities review state criminal records and verify employment for anyone potentially providing care, supervision, control, or routine interaction with children at these locations. This policy change aims to prevent physical or sexual abuse by ensuring background checks for all individuals in direct contact with children. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 4044 modifies Texas tax code provisions to clarify which costs at public colleges and universities qualify for federal tax credits. It allows institutions of higher education and university systems (as defined in Texas Education Code §61.003) to claim tax credits for certain expenditures that would otherwise be excluded under federal rules. The bill changes the tax code to remove an exception for costs related to entities exempt under federal tax code §501(a), effective January 1, 2035. This ensures these institutions can fully utilize eligible tax credits for qualifying expenses incurred after the effective dates (2026 for current changes, 2035 for the full modification).

Maddy summaryHB 3126 allows school entities that discontinued participation in Texas' uniform group health coverage program for active school employees after September 1, 2022, to rejoin the program under specific conditions. To re-enroll, these entities must submit written notice to the program trustee by December 31, 2025, for participation beginning September 1, 2026, and pay a risk stabilization fee on their premiums for the 2026 plan year. The bill prohibits rejoining entities from discontinuing participation before September 1, 2031, and expires on that date. This bill, signed into law on June 20, 2025, and effective September 1, 2025, directly affects school districts or entities previously enrolled in the program.

Maddy summaryHB 4655 amends Texas law to require foster youth transitioning to independent living (ages 16-21) to receive hands-on financial literacy training through the Preparation for Adult Living Program. The bill mandates specific instruction on credit scores, avoiding predatory loans, budgeting for real-world expenses like rent and utilities, and saving money. It requires training to include practical skills such as opening bank accounts, managing paychecks, filing taxes, and protecting personal financial information. The program must also help youth establish savings plans and create monthly budgets based on actual local costs. This policy change directly affects foster youth exiting state care, aiming to improve their financial preparedness for adulthood.

Maddy summaryHB 1584 requires Texas electric utilities to create and maintain a list of "priority facilities," including hospitals, police/fire stations, critical water/wastewater facilities, and certain correctional facilities. Utilities must provide an online tool for facilities to request inclusion (only if they qualify) and confirm within 14 days whether a facility is on the list. During declared emergencies, utilities must share this confidential list with Texas emergency management, and the list cannot be disclosed under public records laws. The law took effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting utilities and the named facilities.

Maddy summarySB 226 allows parents or guardians of children in parental child safety placement agreements (where parents temporarily place children with others under Texas Family Code) to establish school residency using a Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) letter. This letter must confirm the child's residence address within a school district and include specific language stating it serves as proof for public school enrollment. The bill amends the Education Code (Section 25.001(c-3)) to create this new residency verification method, replacing older processes. It applies to agreements executed on or after the bill’s effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed immediately), affecting school districts, children in these agreements, and their families.

Maddy summaryHB 46 modifies Texas' Compassionate-Use Program by requiring dispensing organizations to register certain personnel. The bill mandates that directors, owners, managers, and employees of these organizations must register with the state department, adding this as a requirement for licensing. It specifically amends the Health and Safety Code to include registration as a condition for operating a dispensing organization under the program. The law, signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, takes effect September 1, 2025.