SB 2062 creates a statewide support network to help expectant parents receive prenatal diagnoses for serious fetal conditions or disabilities. It connects parents with advocacy groups and assists them in applying for Medicaid waiver programs like the MDCP (Medically Dependent Children Program). The bill also expands Medicaid eligibility for children with disabilities by increasing the family income limit for a buy-in program to 300% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, it requires prioritizing enrollment in the MDCP waiver for children already receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who meet medical necessity criteria. The bill aims to improve access to home and community-based services for vulnerable children and families.
SB 2397 establishes a 17-member task force on disability policy in Texas to develop a comprehensive 10-year state plan for disability services. The task force, appointed by the governor with bipartisan representation, includes members with lived disability experience, healthcare professionals, advocacy group representatives, and policy experts. It will form subcommittees to address specific areas like healthcare, education, mental health, and transitional care, and must submit annual reports with recommendations. This bill directly affects state agencies and future disability policy development, requiring the task force to identify resource redundancies, service disparities, and cost-effective solutions to improve care quality and dignity for Texans with disabilities.
This bill amends Texas law to ensure parents, managing conservators, or legal guardians of children under 18 can access their child's medical, dental, psychological, or surgical treatment records - regardless of whether they consented to the treatment. It explicitly states this access applies unless a court orders otherwise. The law clarifies that existing rights to access health records under other laws remain unaffected. The bill takes effect on September 1, 2025.
HB 2996 amends Texas Penal Code sections 47.01 and 47.04 to clarify definitions related to gambling offenses. It defines "economic benefit" as direct winnings from games of skill or luck (excluding pre-game benefits) and defines "private place" as locations requiring membership or permission (excluding streets, restaurants, and common areas of buildings). The bill establishes a defense for gambling prosecutions if the activity occurred in a private place, no one received economic benefits beyond personal winnings, and all participants faced equal risks and chances of winning. This directly affects individuals and venues involved in gambling, particularly in private settings like clubs or member-only spaces, and applies to offenses committed on or after its effective date.
HB 2424 updates Texas voter ID requirements by specifying five acceptable photo ID types for in-person voting: standard driver's licenses (excluding certain temporary licenses), U.S. military IDs, citizenship certificates, passports, and handgun carry licenses. All must not have expired more than four years before presentation. The bill directly affects voters needing ID at polling places in Texas, clarifying which documents meet requirements under the Election Code. It does not change existing voting procedures beyond defining acceptable ID forms.
SB 2876 amends Texas law to increase criminal penalties for individuals participating in riots while intentionally wearing a mask or face covering to conceal their identity. Specifically, it elevates such offenses to a Class A misdemeanor (a more serious charge) if the court finds the person wore the mask "with the intent to conceal the actor's identity" during the riot. The bill directly affects individuals engaging in riotous conduct who deliberately hide their identity using face coverings. This change applies only to offenses occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, and does not apply to past incidents. The law does not prohibit mask-wearing generally but targets its use during riots to evade identification.
HB 246 creates a compensation program for landowners and residents in Texas border regions who suffer property damage from specific criminal activities. The program, administered by the Attorney General, reimburses agricultural landowners, lessees, and border residents for damage to crops, livestock, buildings, or personal property caused by: (1) criminal trespassers committing border-related offenses (e.g., under Penal Code Chapter 28), or (2) law enforcement responses to such trespassers. Funding comes from state appropriations, dedicated revenue, grants, and federal reimbursements. The bill defines "border crime" as offenses involving transnational criminal activity near the border and specifies eligibility requirements for claims.
SCR 31 designates Mineola as Texas' official "Sweets Capital" for a 10-year period ending in 2035, replacing its previous designation as the "City of Festivals" established in 1991. The resolution recognizes Mineola's downtown area for its concentration of locally owned sweet shops like Grandma Cleda's Gourmet Candy, Mineola Fudge Shop, and Bluebonnet Bakery, which offer a variety of desserts and have gained regional and national attention. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or regulations but formally acknowledges the city's reputation for sweets businesses. The designation will remain in effect until the 10th anniversary of the resolution's final passage by the legislature.
SB 620 requires Texas courts to apply an "active efforts" standard before removing children from parents under certain circumstances when the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has managing conservatorship. Specifically, it mandates that DFPS must make meaningful, individualized efforts to keep families together - including addressing parental substance use or other issues - before seeking termination of parental rights, particularly for children "born addicted" (defined as infants exposed to illegal substances or alcohol prenatally). This change directly affects parents in DFPS cases involving substance use during pregnancy and modifies the grounds for parental termination under Texas Family Code §161.001(b). The bill does not alter existing termination grounds but adds a procedural requirement for DFPS to demonstrate active efforts before seeking removal.
SB 423 allows workers' compensation dispute hearings in Texas to be held remotely (via phone or videoconference) when both parties agree. It directly affects workers, employers, and the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission by changing how these hearings are conducted. The bill requires the Commission to create rules for remote hearings, including updated notices, technical requirements, and multilingual guides in English and Spanish for submitting evidence. These changes apply only to hearings requested on or after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate effect).
HB 2666 reclassifies arson involving a government building as a first-degree felony (instead of second-degree) under Texas law. This change applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and increases penalties for intentionally damaging government buildings through fire. The bill specifically targets cases where the property damaged was a government building, habitation, or place of assembly/worship, with the government building provision being the focus of this amendment. It does not alter penalties for arson against other property types or for cases occurring before the effective date.
SB 2853 requires Texas' Health and Human Services Commission to hire a language access coordinator by September 2025. The coordinator must assess barriers non-English speakers face when accessing state health/human services programs and 2-1-1 services provided by the Texas Information and Referral Network. Within one year, the coordinator must submit a written report detailing findings and recommendations to improve language access. The bill expires June 1, 2027, and does not create new services but mandates an evaluation of current gaps.
