Sen. José Menéndez

Maddy summaryTexas SB 198 requires school IEP teams to consider research-based strategies for children with autism or pervasive developmental disorders when creating individualized education plans. Teams must document why any strategy isn’t included and provide parents written information about these strategies at least seven days before IEP meetings. Schools must translate this information into Spanish or make good-faith efforts for other languages if parents don’t speak English. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 148 repeals Section 43.007(i) of the Texas Election Code, which governed how counties participate in the countywide polling place program. This change removes a specific provision related to county operations under that program. The bill would take effect immediately if passed by two-thirds vote, or on September 1, 2025, if not.

Maddy summarySB 171 would create a new instant-ticket lottery game operated by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) specifically to fund the state's child-care services program. The bill requires TWC to set ticket prices, payouts, and marketing that clearly states proceeds support child-care services, with all game revenue (after operational costs) dedicated to this program. It mandates that game tickets must display this funding purpose, and sales agents must be encouraged to sell these tickets. The bill directly affects the TWC child-care program by establishing a dedicated revenue stream from lottery sales, separate from other lottery funds. This is a policy change creating a new funding mechanism for child-care services, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summarySB 158 establishes the TEAPPS grant program to provide emergency financial aid to students at qualifying public Texas colleges and universities. Eligible institutions must serve at least 30% of students receiving federal need-based aid (Pell Grants) or be designated as Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The program awards institutions up to $50,000 annually to fund emergency grants of up to $1,000 per student for unexpected expenses like housing, food, or medical costs that threaten degree completion. Institutions must process applications within 48 hours, use at least 10% of grant funds for the program, and partner with community organizations to offer wraparound support services like housing assistance. The program requires institutions to collect data on aid distribution and report results to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Maddy summarySB 173 requires child-care facilities and registered family homes in Texas to implement new staff training on trauma-informed care, behavioral health (including autism impacts), and supporting children with special needs. It explicitly prohibits discrimination based on race or disability and mandates procedures for parental consultation on children's educational and therapeutic programs. The bill also sets standards for health/safety protocols, including following physician directions for specialized medical care and maintaining records of those instructions. These requirements apply directly to all licensed child-care facilities and registered family homes operating under the Human Resources Code. The legislation aims to improve safety, health, and equitable treatment for children in care settings.

Maddy summarySB 176 allows Texas school districts to contract with mental health providers to offer on-campus mental health services to students. It specifically enables school districts to seek Medicaid reimbursement for mental health services provided to students already enrolled in Medicaid (medical assistance recipients). The bill creates two key mechanisms: (1) permitting districts to partner with local mental health authorities or community providers for campus-based services, and (2) allowing districts to enroll as Medicaid providers to bill for eligible students' care. This directly affects school districts, mental health providers, and Medicaid-eligible students by expanding access to on-site care and creating a reimbursement pathway.

Maddy summarySB 163 amends Texas Education Code to change how full-day prekindergarten programs are funded under the Foundation School Program. It requires districts operating full-day preK to provide at least 32,400 minutes of annual instructional time to qualify for full average daily attendance credit (matching K-12 funding rules), instead of half-credit for half-day programs. This directly affects public school districts and charter schools offering preK programs by determining their state funding eligibility. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, aligning preK attendance calculations with K-12 standards for funding purposes.

Maddy summarySB 348 expands medical consent rights for certain minors under Texas law. It allows unmarried minors aged 16 or older who live independently (and manage their own finances) to consent to pregnancy-related care, including postpartum treatment, and contraception-related medical treatment (excluding abortion). The bill also permits minors who are parents to consent to medical care for their children, and minors in state custody facilities to consent to treatment (with specific exceptions). These provisions directly affect minors meeting the defined criteria, enabling them to make certain health decisions without parental involvement.

Maddy summarySB 159 requires certain public transportation authorities (specifically those created before 1980 in municipalities with under 1.9 million residents) to establish mandatory training for drivers on interacting with riders who have intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism. The training must cover identifying and communicating with these riders, as well as safely assisting them to board and exit vehicles. Authorities must implement the program by March 1, 2026, and drivers cannot operate vehicles without completing it. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, with the driver training requirement beginning September 1, 2026. This directly affects public transit operators in smaller Texas cities governed by older transit authorities.

Maddy summarySB 544 requires school districts to create supplemental goals for students with disabilities in specific alternative special education settings (defined as campuses or programs serving 90%+ special education students). These supplements must include measurable academic and social-emotional goals designed to transition students back to general education settings. IEP committees must review progress toward these goals at least once per semester. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.