Sen. Angela Paxton

Maddy summarySB 1432 clarifies the legal definition of sexual assault in Texas by adding specific scenarios where consent is absent, such as when a victim is unconscious, impaired by substances, or exploited due to a dependent relationship (e.g., with healthcare providers, clergy, or caregivers). It also establishes a seven-year statute of limitations for complaints about sexual assault violations involving healthcare providers during assisted reproduction procedures, extending to two years from when the complainant knew of the incident, whichever is later. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect cases occurring before that date.

Maddy summarySB 2906 requires Texas-chartered banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions serving only Texas residents or Texas businesses to provide customers with 30 days' written notice and a specific reason before terminating accounts or credit lines. Customers may appeal terminations within 10 business days to the Texas Department of Banking, which must review appeals and order reversals if terminations violate the law. Exceptions to the 30-day notice period include dormant accounts, persistent overdrafts, or suspected criminal activity. The bill creates new requirements for financial institutions to follow before ending services, aiming to prevent abrupt account closures without customer recourse.

Maddy summarySB 2905 eliminates the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits arising from specific crimes against children or disabled individuals. It directly affects victims who suffered injuries from offenses like sexual assault of a child (Penal Code §22.011), continuous sexual abuse (§21.02), or child pornography (§43.26). The bill removes the standard two-year deadline for filing such lawsuits, allowing victims to pursue legal action at any time, regardless of when the abuse occurred. Key provisions target 13 specific crimes listed in the bill, including trafficking and online solicitation of minors, as defined in Texas Penal Code sections.

Maddy summarySB 2488 creates a statewide homeless data sharing network to connect homeless response systems, health insurers, and housing services through real-time data exchange. It requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to collaborate with the Texas Homeless Network and health benefit issuers to identify individuals experiencing homelessness and refer them to housing navigation and health resources. The bill mandates strict confidentiality for all shared data, ensuring compliance with existing state and federal privacy laws. This policy change enables coordinated service delivery without creating new funding or services, focusing solely on improving data sharing between existing agencies.

Maddy summarySB 2745 would increase death benefits for spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty under Texas workers' compensation. It adds a 3% annual cost-of-living adjustment to these benefits, automatically applied each January 1 starting in 2026. The adjustment applies to the base benefit amount calculated under existing law (75% of the deceased worker's average weekly wage). This change directly affects surviving spouses of eligible first responders, ensuring their benefits grow with inflation each year. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, but the adjusted payments begin January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2687 establishes Texas' Child-Care Professional Pathway program, enabling high school students in grades 11-12 to earn both a high school diploma and a child care credential simultaneously. The program requires school districts and colleges to form partnerships offering free, non-duplicative courses leading to either a Child Development Associate certificate or an associate degree in early childhood education fields. These partnerships must include articulation agreements, allow all 11th-12th graders to enroll, and ensure students meet graduation requirements while earning college credits. The bill directly affects Texas public high school students and participating colleges through this dual-credential pathway.

Maddy summarySB 2625 (Texas Health and Safety Code §171.063) restricts who may provide abortion-inducing drugs by requiring that only a physician physically present in Texas can administer them during an in-person examination. It mandates a follow-up visit within 14 days to confirm pregnancy termination and assess blood loss. The bill also applies to out-of-state physicians providing abortion-related consultations, adding new restrictions under the Occupations Code. These provisions directly affect physicians, patients seeking abortion care, and out-of-state medical professionals. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2793 creates a program allowing property owners adjacent to state highways to plant or replace vegetation in the road right-of-way (the land owned by Texas DOT for roads). Owners can do this to improve their property's appearance or visibility, but only within 500 feet of their land. Property owners must cover all costs, use vegetation adapted to local conditions, and avoid interfering with utility infrastructure. The program does not affect DOT's authority to use the right-of-way for road projects or require utilities to compensate owners for vegetation removal.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas public school districts to use approved math assessment tools for students in kindergarten through third grade. The Texas Education Commissioner must create a list of approved instruments meeting specific criteria, such as assessing foundational math skills, allowing yearly progress tracking, and enabling statewide comparisons. Schools must administer these assessments, report results to parents in plain language (including Spanish), and develop intervention plans for students identified as at risk of falling behind in math. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and includes parental opt-out options for assessments.

Maddy summarySB 2746 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to study average wait times for driver's license services - including renewals and replacements - in Texas counties with populations over 850,000. The study must measure both the time to schedule an appointment and the in-office wait time at driver's license offices, plus gather contextual factors affecting these delays. The DPS must submit a report by December 1, 2026, to state leaders with findings and recommendations to reduce wait times. This bill directly affects DPS operations and residents in large counties who use driver's license services.