Maddy summarySB 865 requires specific school staff, including nurses, athletic coaches, physical education instructors, and others designated by the commissioner, to obtain and maintain certification in CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use from recognized organizations like the American Heart Association. It also mandates that private schools receiving AEDs or funding for AEDs, and open-enrollment charter schools, adopt policies providing CPR and AED training for employees and volunteer nurses. The law applies to all public school districts, private schools, and charter schools, effective for the 2025-2026 school year. This policy change directly affects school employees and volunteers who may respond to cardiac emergencies in school settings.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 2167 requires massage therapy businesses and schools to obtain a new license if they change locations, preventing unlicensed operations at new sites. It allows the licensing commission to delay approving or denying licenses for up to 90 days if there's reasonable suspicion of criminal activity at the proposed location or if the applicant is subject to a public health emergency order. The bill also clarifies that entities (like businesses) are subject to delays if any owner or operator faces such orders. These changes take effect September 1, 2025, and require the licensing commission to update rules to implement the law.
Maddy summarySB 10 requires all Texas public elementary and secondary schools to display a specific, standardized version of the Ten Commandments in every classroom starting September 1, 2025. The law mandates a durable poster or framed copy meeting strict size (at least 16x20 inches) and content requirements, including only the exact text listed in the bill. Schools must display this unless they accept a privately donated version meeting the same specifications, and may optionally use district funds to purchase compliant displays. This directly affects every public school classroom in Texas, requiring a physical display of the specified religious text.
Maddy summarySB 379 prohibits SNAP (food stamp) benefits in Texas from being used to purchase energy drinks, sweetened beverages (like soda), carbonated drinks, candy, potato/corn chips, and pre-packaged cookies. It directly affects SNAP recipients who previously could buy these items with their benefits. The law includes exceptions for milk products, milk substitutes (like almond milk), unsweetened beverages, infant formula, weight-loss drinks, and health-recommended products. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public school districts in Texas from assigning or requiring staff to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. It specifically bans schools from mandating DEI statements, giving preferential treatment based on such statements, or implementing policies that reference race, gender identity, or sexual orientation - except where required by law. School employees who violate these restrictions may face discipline, including termination. The bill directly affects public school districts, their employees, and students by restricting certain curriculum and staff training practices related to DEI. It does not impact schools' ability to teach about historical holidays or events.
Maddy summaryHB 2525 exempts from property taxes certain housing and related facilities owned by charitable organizations that provide services specifically for people aged 62 or older. The bill amends Texas tax law to add a new provision (Subsection (k-1)) allowing these properties - such as senior housing with recreational activities or special-needs facilities - to qualify for tax exemption if the organization meets other charitable requirements. This directly affects nonprofit housing providers serving seniors, reducing their property tax burden. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, after being signed by the governor.
Maddy summarySB 2407 updates governance rules for the Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA), a local water management district in Texas. It specifies grounds for removing a board member, including failing to meet qualifications, violating ethics laws, being unable to perform duties due to illness, or missing over half of scheduled meetings without board approval. The bill also requires new board members to complete mandatory training before voting or attending meetings. These changes apply directly to LNVA board members and ensure clearer separation of policy and management roles. The bill, effective September 1, 2025, follows Sunset Commission recommendations to strengthen oversight of the authority.
Maddy summarySB 3039 requires Texas public universities to annually report on transfer credit issues to the state legislature and education board. The bill mandates institutions to detail courses where transfer students (especially those who declared a major) don’t receive credit, identify barriers to transfer pathways, and describe actions taken through agreements with community colleges. These actions include faculty collaboration, student advising, financial aid, and aligning degree programs. The goal is to increase transparency about why credit transfers fail and improve support for students moving between public higher education institutions.
Maddy summaryHB 4129 requires contracts between Texas' Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and single-source contractors providing community-based foster care services to include specific performance and operational standards. Contractors must establish timelines for implementing case management and family reunification support services, maintain diverse service networks accommodating cultural backgrounds, and standardize training for alternative caregivers (like respite providers). The contract must include performance reviews 18 months after service implementation, with financial penalties for failing to meet outcomes or incentives for exceeding them. It also mandates contractors to prioritize hiring impacted DFPS employees and develop community engagement plans for local stakeholders.
Maddy summarySB 31, titled the "Life of the Mother Act," amends Texas Health and Safety Code to create a specific exception allowing abortions when a physician determines in "reasonable medical judgment" that a pregnancy poses a life-threatening risk of death or serious risk of substantial impairment to a major bodily function. It directly affects pregnant individuals with pregnancy-related conditions that threaten life or major bodily function, removing prior requirements that risks be imminent or that physical damage already occur. The law permits physicians to act proactively to address such risks before symptoms manifest, without needing to wait for documented harm. Signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, it became effective immediately.