Sen. José Menéndez

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new constitutional right to the Texas Constitution, guaranteeing all Texas residents the right to be free from government interference in their private lives. It would amend Article I, Section 37 to state that individuals have this right "except as otherwise provided by this constitution," while explicitly preserving existing rights to access public meetings and records. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election, with the ballot phrasing "The constitutional amendment establishing the right to be free from governmental intrusion or interference into an individual's private life." This is a procedural proposal for a constitutional change, not an immediate law.

Maddy summarySB 151 creates a state matching grant program to fund technological upgrades at hospitals providing mental health care services. Eligible facilities include rural hospitals (licensed under Chapter 241) and any hospital (licensed under Chapter 577) that demonstrates how funds will improve mental health care quality and access. Grants require 25% non-state matching funds (from donations or gifts) and can only be used for specific digital health tools like certified electronic health records, interoperability systems, patient portal access, data security, and mobile device integration. The program mandates annual legislative reporting on outcomes and aligns with federal 21st Century Cures Act standards.

Maddy summarySB 200 allows relatives or designated caregivers to receive a child’s support rights and benefits on the child’s behalf when the child is placed with them by Texas’ child welfare department. The bill requires the department to assign the child’s support rights to the caregiver and designate them as the representative payee for programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This change ensures caregivers directly receive payments intended for the child, rather than the payments going through the state. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to children in substitute care placed with relatives or designated caregivers.

Maddy summarySB 150 prohibits discrimination in Texas public accommodations (businesses serving the public) based on race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or military veteran status. It bans refusing service, discriminatory communications, or advertising that denies equal access to these protected groups. The bill authorizes civil penalties for violations and establishes a process for individuals to file complaints with the Texas Workforce Commission. This directly affects businesses operating as public accommodations and individuals seeking services or goods.

Maddy summarySB 257 creates an exception to Texas' abortion ban for pregnancies resulting from sexual assault as defined in specific Penal Code sections (22.011, 22.021, and 25.02). It removes requirements for victims to file police reports, provide forensic evidence, or pursue prosecution to access this exception. The bill repeals Chapter 6-1/2 of the Revised Statutes, which was the main state law prohibiting most abortions. This exception applies only to cases meeting the sexual assault criteria and does not change other abortion laws or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 350 requires Texas healthcare providers to prioritize a pregnant person's health over the fetus's health when recommending medical treatments, regardless of fetal risk. It ensures pregnant individuals retain full rights to accept or refuse care after providing informed consent. Violations could result in administrative penalties similar to other licensing violations. The bill would take effect September 1, 2025, unless passed as an immediate law with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summarySB 545 creates a new licensing process for relatives or designated caregivers (such as grandparents or family members caring for children in their home) to qualify for foster care payments instead of the current permanency care assistance program. The bill establishes a specific licensing procedure under Section 42.0539 of the Human Resources Code, requiring caregivers to meet basic safety standards set by the Department of Family and Protective Services. Once licensed, caregivers can receive foster care payments starting the first month of licensing and are no longer eligible for permanency care assistance benefits. This directly affects caregivers currently enrolled in Texas' permanency care assistance program who choose to pursue licensing.

Maddy summarySB 154 requires Texas public school districts to screen students with special education needs who have feeding or swallowing concerns for pediatric feeding disorder (defined as impaired oral intake not age-appropriate due to medical, nutritional, or psychological issues). If identified, schools must include a detailed "safe feeding and swallowing plan" in the student’s individualized education program (IEP), specifying support levels, feeding environment, dietary accommodations (including allergies and cultural restrictions), positioning, equipment, and emergency procedures. The plan must be developed by a team of qualified professionals, such as speech-language pathologists or dietitians. This applies to all affected students in public schools starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryTexas SB 189 amends the criminal procedure code to require judges to formally note in court records if a defendant intentionally targeted a victim due to bias against their sexual orientation or gender identity in certain violent crimes (like assault or property damage under specific Penal Code sections). This applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and affects defendants convicted of such bias-motivated crimes in Texas courts. The bill replaces previous language about "gender identity preference" with explicit protections for "gender identity" and adds "sexual orientation" as protected characteristics. It does not change the underlying criminal penalties but mandates this specific procedural step during sentencing.

Maddy summarySB 149 adjusts Texas' special education funding under the Foundation School Program by requiring regional education service centers to provide specific core services, such as staff training and support for districts with special education compliance issues. It changes how the basic funding allotment is calculated for special education students, tying it directly to the intensity of services needed as defined by state rules. This affects school districts, regional centers, and students receiving special education services by aligning funding more closely with actual service requirements. The bill also clarifies definitions, like excluding resource rooms from "self-contained classroom" status, to improve implementation of funding rules.