Sen. César Blanco

Maddy summaryHB 3376 requires guardians appointed for individuals aged 60 or older (or those with dementia-related conditions) to complete specific training. Guardians must finish a free, online course within six months of appointment and annually, covering Alzheimer's/dementia symptoms, communication strategies, aging aspects, and resources for supporting a person's rights. The training must address warning signs, effective communication, and available support services. This law amends Texas Government Code Sections 155.203 and 155.204 to mandate these requirements for guardians handling cases involving dementia or related disorders.

Maddy summaryHB 42 modifies how Texas allocates annual state funds to public universities and colleges by establishing a new formula based on space deficit, facilities condition, institutional complexity, and a separate allocation for the Texas State Technical College System. It specifies exact funding amounts for institutions like the University of North Texas ($65 million), Texas State University ($58 million), and Lamar University ($20 million) for the 2026 fiscal year. The bill changes the method of distributing constitutional appropriations from previous formulas to these new criteria and amounts. Signed into law on June 20, 2025, it takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 500 amends Texas adoption laws to improve access to a child's health, social, educational, and genetic history for prospective adoptive parents. It requires agencies like the Department of Family and Protective Services to compile this information within 45 days after a child's adoption plan is set or parental rights end, and to provide it to adoptive parents within 90 days of their request. The bill mandates redacting sensitive details like social security numbers and protecting identities of biological parents, siblings, or those who reported abuse, while requiring adoptive parents to sign a nondisclosure agreement before receiving confidential details. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 493 protects pharmacists and pharmacies from contractual restrictions that prevent them from sharing key cost information with patients and discussing service details with health insurance plans. Specifically, it prohibits contracts from blocking pharmacists from: (1) informing patients about differences between their out-of-pocket costs with and without submitting a claim under their health plan, and (2) communicating with insurers about prescription drug benefits, pharmacy services, network access, or reimbursement. The law applies only to contracts entered into or amended on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting pharmacists, pharmacies, and patients covered by health benefit plans. It creates a clear legal right for pharmacists to discuss cost and service matters without penalty.

Maddy summaryHB 1443 creates a new criminal offense in Texas for promoting or possessing a "child-like sex doll," defined as an obscene, anatomically correct doll or robot designed to look like a child and intended for sexual use. It prohibits three specific actions: promoting such dolls (felony, second degree), possessing them with intent to promote (felony, third degree), or simply possessing them (state jail felony). The law presumes intent to promote if someone possesses two or more dolls, but includes an exception for law enforcement using them for legitimate purposes. This bill directly affects individuals who manufacture, sell, or own these dolls, making the specified actions punishable under Texas Penal Code.

Maddy summaryHB 2187 requires Texas hospitals to establish nurse staffing committees and submit accurate staffing reports, which must be verified by the chief nursing officer. The bill prohibits hospitals from retaliating against nurses who report staffing violations or file complaints, and creates a formal process for resolving complaints through the Health and Human Services Commission. Hospitals must provide timely written responses to complaints, including details about investigations and resolutions, while keeping all complaint-related information confidential. This law directly affects nurses, hospital management, and the Health and Human Services Commission, with all provisions taking effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3333 restricts new permits for direct discharges of waste or pollutants from wastewater treatment facilities into specific segments of the Devils River in Val Verde County and connected unclassified water bodies that drain into those segments. It applies only to permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing applications unaffected. The bill exempts municipal storm sewer systems and certain stormwater discharges from the restriction. This policy change directly affects industrial and domestic wastewater facilities seeking new permits in the targeted Val Verde County waterways.

Maddy summarySB 1580 requires local mental health authorities in Texas to adjust their governing body composition. For single-county authorities, it mandates including the county sheriff as a nonvoting member; for multi-county authorities, it requires two county sheriffs (chosen per specific rules) as nonvoting members. The bill also adds a requirement for each governing body to select one veteran member by December 1, 2025. This change directly affects all local mental health authorities statewide, altering their governance structure to include sheriff and veteran representation, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 300 increases the maximum Texas Armed Services Scholarship to $30,000 per academic year (up from $15,000), capping at the average cost of attendance at Texas colleges. It expands appointment authority, allowing the governor and lieutenant governor to each appoint two students annually, and each state senator or representative to appoint one student, with deadlines set for September 30. The bill directly affects Texas students enrolled in ROTC or similar military commissioning programs at Texas colleges, requiring proof of program enrollment or acceptance into the Texas State Guard. These changes are effective immediately after the bill was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1120 expands rights for victims of specific crimes in Texas, directly affecting victims of family violence, sexual assault, stalking, or violations of protective orders, as well as their guardians or close relatives of deceased victims. The bill codifies 10 specific rights, including the right to receive safety protections from law enforcement, input on bail decisions, timely notifications about court proceedings, information on victim compensation programs, and separate waiting areas during testimony. It also clarifies definitions of "family violence" and "victim" to include offenses like aggravated robbery, trafficking, and injury to vulnerable individuals. These provisions aim to ensure victims and their families have consistent access to information and support throughout criminal proceedings.