Sen. José Menéndez

Maddy summarySB 361 amends Texas Labor Code sections to prohibit employment discrimination based on "reproductive decisions," including decisions about pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical care. It directly affects employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations by banning discriminatory actions like refusal to hire, firing, or limiting opportunities due to such decisions. The bill also prohibits employment agreements that restrict an employee's reproductive choices. These changes add "reproductive decisions" to existing protected categories like race, sex, and disability under Texas anti-discrimination law. The legislation aims to expand workplace protections without specifying particular reproductive health services.

Maddy summarySB 194 aims to reduce court involvement for certain foster youth by diverting them from the juvenile justice system. It directly affects foster children under 12 years old or those living in group homes (defined as "general residential operations"), requiring foster care facilities to implement approved behavior intervention programs. Key provisions include mandating staff training in crisis response to avoid police involvement during behavioral incidents and requiring facilities to provide services under Section 53.011. The bill also directs juvenile boards to prioritize diverting these youth from court referrals and limit detention to last-resort cases.

Maddy summarySB 191 requires all Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt a "healthy and safe school water plan" by September 1, 2026. The plan must include regular lead testing at all water sources used for drinking or food preparation, with immediate access restrictions if lead levels exceed 15 parts per billion (within 48 hours), followed by contamination mitigation and retesting before normal access resumes. The Texas Education Agency must develop a model plan by December 2025 and may reimburse districts for testing costs if funds are available. This law directly affects every public school in Texas, mandating proactive lead testing and remediation to protect student and staff health.

Maddy summarySB 187 requires Texas public universities to establish a process for students to report race, color, or ethnicity-based discrimination or harassment through an online portal and hotline, with an option for anonymous submissions. Each year, institutions must inform all freshmen and returning students about their anti-discrimination policies, complaint procedures (including reporting to the university, the U.S. Department of Education, and accrediting agencies), and the previous year's complaint data. Universities must also publicly post this complaint data on their websites. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Maddy summarySB 161 requires lobbyists in Texas to submit proof of completing two specific trainings when registering: sexual harassment prevention training and ethics training, both completed within the previous two years. This applies directly to individuals registering as lobbyists under Texas law. The bill adds new requirements to the registration form (Section 305.005(f)) and creates new sections mandating these trainings every two years (Sections 305.0052 and 305.0053). The Texas Ethics Commission must adopt implementing rules by December 1, 2025, and the new requirements take effect for registrations filed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 190 repeals Texas statutes that previously criminalized homosexual conduct and labeled it as "unacceptable" or "a criminal offense." It directly affects LGBTQ+ individuals by removing these discriminatory legal provisions and eliminating false, harmful statements from school health education materials. The bill amends health education codes to remove language claiming homosexuality is "not an acceptable lifestyle" or a criminal act under Penal Code Section 21.06. These changes ensure educational content aligns with current public health standards and removes outdated, stigmatizing language. The bill takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, if not.

Maddy summarySB 182 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to create policies ensuring female inmates have equal access to programs like parenting classes, education, vocational training, substance use treatment, and rehabilitation services. It mandates that these programs must be available within 45 days of a female inmate's arrival and that opportunities must be equitable to those provided to male inmates. The TDCJ must also submit annual reports detailing program availability and policy changes to state leaders and publish them online. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 145 would allow any qualified Texas voter to request a ballot by mail without restrictions. It removes a prior requirement that voters in the address confidentiality program (for safety reasons) must submit mail-in voting applications in person. The bill also repeals criminal penalties for soliciting or distributing mail-in voting application forms. These changes make mail-in voting more accessible and simplify the process for voters. The bill is currently in committee referral after being filed in early 2025.

Maddy summarySB 563 requires health insurance plans in Texas to cover medically necessary treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for enrollees diagnosed before their 10th birthday. The bill defines ASD to include diagnoses under current or previous diagnostic standards (like Asperger's or PDD-NOS) and specifies that "medically necessary" care must address patient needs, prevent regression, and follow evidence-based clinical standards. It mandates coverage for treatments meeting these criteria, including behavioral therapies and related services, while excluding services primarily for economic benefit or convenience. This directly affects children and families enrolled in Texas health benefit plans who receive an ASD diagnosis prior to age 10.

Maddy summarySB 181 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to adopt a standardized risk and needs assessment instrument for all adult offenders. The bill specifically allows TDCJ to create gender-responsive versions of this instrument that account for factors affecting specific genders, such as trauma or health needs. This change directly impacts TDCJ's assessment practices and the evaluation of offenders in Texas' criminal justice system. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.