Sen. José Menéndez

Maddy summarySB 255 requires Texas to expand Medicaid eligibility to all low-income adults who apply and meet federal income guidelines under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), specifically those with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. It directly affects approximately 1 million Texans who currently lack Medicaid coverage due to Texas’s prior refusal to expand eligibility. The bill mandates that the Health and Human Services Commission provide medical assistance using available federal matching funds, overriding any existing state restrictions. This policy change takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all new applications or eligibility reviews after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits licensed mental health providers from attempting to change a child's sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. It applies to professionals like counselors, psychologists, social workers, and therapists treating minors under 18. The law defines "unprofessional conduct" as any effort to alter a child's sexual orientation, behavior, gender identity, or same-sex attractions. Violations would be addressed through professional licensing disciplinary actions under Texas law. The bill does not ban therapy for LGBTQ+ youth but specifically targets practices aimed at changing their core identity.

Maddy summarySB 156 requires Texas public school districts to report specific student performance data through the state's PEIMS system at the end of each school year. It mandates tracking four categories: students enrolled in the foundation high school program, those pursuing the distinguished level of achievement, students in endorsement programs, and students earning designated performance acknowledgments. This reporting affects all public school districts in Texas and begins for the 2025-2026 school year. The bill focuses solely on data collection requirements for accountability, without altering student eligibility or program standards.

Maddy summarySB 160 requires counties in Texas with a population of one million or more to establish senior justice assessment centers. These centers will directly serve seniors experiencing elder abuse or neglect by coordinating multidisciplinary teams including law enforcement, adult protective services, prosecutors, and health experts. Key provisions mandate the centers to investigate abuse, assess seniors' mental capacity and safety, and make referrals for appropriate care. The bill aims to improve responses to elder abuse through coordinated services, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 256 amends Texas abortion laws by creating specific medical exceptions to existing prohibitions. It allows abortions when a licensed physician determines it is medically necessary to preserve a patient's life, physical/mental health (including fertility), or due to a lethal fetal anomaly or life-limiting diagnosis. The bill explicitly states that accidental injury to an embryo/fetus during medical treatment does not violate the law, and it prohibits holding patients liable for abortions performed under these exceptions. It also repeals two specific sections of current law and Chapter 6-1/2 (which previously regulated abortion). The bill directly affects pregnant patients seeking abortions and healthcare providers performing them under these defined medical circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 192 creates a state grant program to reimburse public schools, open-enrollment charter schools, and specific specialized schools (like the Texas School for the Deaf) for increased pension contributions when hiring teachers who retired before September 1, 2024. The program covers costs associated with the Teacher Retirement System, prioritizing districts that hire retired teachers for special education or bilingual education roles. Schools can use these funds to cover required payments under state law. The program applies starting in the 2025-2026 school year, with funding determined annually by the legislature.

Maddy summarySB 199 requires Texas public colleges and universities to waive tuition and fees for transfer students who earned specific course credits that don’t count toward their new degree program. It applies to credits from the sending institution’s core curriculum, field of study, or credits earned via AP exams or International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The bill ensures students aren’t charged twice for courses that won’t transfer, reducing out-of-pocket costs during academic transitions. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year. The law directly affects transfer students moving between Texas public higher education institutions.

Maddy summarySB 201 defines "school social work services" as specialized support to help students and families overcome learning barriers, connect home/community/school, and address basic needs. It requires school district social workers to collaborate with staff on student learning environments, serve on relevant committees, and help develop violence/suicide prevention and child abuse identification strategies. The bill also allows school boards to mandate that social workers spend at least 80% of their time on these defined duties. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 271 updates Texas law to define "critical care residential customers" for electricity services. It adds two specific conditions: a household must permanently house someone dependent on an electric medical device to sustain life or an elevator for home access. This directly affects Texas residential electricity customers with these medical or mobility needs. The bill amends the Utilities Code and takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summarySB 549 creates a new funding mechanism for Texas public schools by adding a "fine arts allotment" to the existing finance system. School districts receive additional funding per student enrolled in approved grades 6-12 fine arts courses (music, art, theater, dance), with higher funding multipliers for younger grades (1.3 for 6-8, 1.2 for 9-10, 1.1 for 11-12). The bill requires approved courses to provide at least 225 minutes of weekly instruction and mandates that 50% of funds target grades 6-8, 25% prioritize students eligible for compensatory education, and 75% of high school funds support grades 9-12. This directly affects school districts and students in public schools offering qualifying fine arts programs.