Rep. Angie Button

Maddy summaryHB 1481 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day on school property or at school events. Exceptions allow device use for students with documented medical needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or health/safety protocols. Schools may implement either a full device ban or a secure storage system for devices during school hours, and must return confiscated devices or dispose of them after providing parents 90 days' written notice. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 264 prohibits new group self-insurance programs in Texas after September 1, 2025, and requires the dissolution of the Texas self-insurance group guaranty fund and trust fund. It mandates that the fund’s board submit a wind-down plan by December 1, 2025, outlining how remaining funds will be distributed to qualified self-insurance groups and how stakeholders will be notified. Once approved, the fund must distribute leftover money to eligible groups and then cease operations, with the board being abolished 30 days after the commissioner issues the final order. This directly affects the existing self-insurance fund structure and the groups currently using it under Texas workers' compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 2598 amends Texas Education Code to clarify who qualifies as a "mental health professional" for school services. It explicitly includes school psychologists (as defined in the Occupations Code) alongside other licensed providers like clinical social workers and licensed counselors. The bill also creates a task force to advise on school mental health services, requiring specific representation from parents, school administrators, and mental health professionals. This directly affects school psychologists, mental health service providers, and school districts implementing these services. The changes took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.111 to update requirements for charter schools. The bill specifically adds new criteria allowing charter schools to exclude students who were expelled under Section 37.007, placed in disciplinary alternative education programs under Section 37.006, or have documented criminal histories or discipline problems. While the bill title mentions telehealth mental health services in public schools, the provided text does not detail provisions for telehealth access. The legislation primarily affects charter schools by modifying their student admission policies and discipline management standards. HB 6 was signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, and is now effective.

Maddy summaryHB 1586 creates a standardized affidavit form for parents or guardians seeking immunization exemptions for school enrollment. The form must include a statement explaining the benefits and risks of both immunizations and not being immunized. The health department must provide this form online or by mail without collecting personal information, and can only track how many times the form is accessed (not who uses it). This change applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 3441 creates legal liability for vaccine manufacturers who advertise a harmful vaccine within Texas. It defines "advertise" broadly to include paid promotions across media (TV, internet, influencers), but excludes doctor-patient discussions or clinic materials. If a manufacturer's advertised vaccine causes injury, victims can sue within three years for actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The law applies only to cases where harm occurs on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3133 requires social media platforms operating in Texas to create an easy-to-use complaint system for users reporting explicit deep fake material. The bill defines "explicit deep fake material" as AI-generated content falsely depicting real people in sexual acts or exposing intimate body parts. Platforms must provide clear, plain-language notice about this system and review complaints about such content within 48 hours (excluding weekends). This law directly affects major social media platforms by mandating specific procedures for handling these reports, without requiring content removal.

Maddy summaryHB 20 establishes Texas' Applied Sciences Pathway program, allowing high school students to earn both diplomas and industry certificates through school-college partnerships. It requires courses in 20 specific high-wage, high-growth fields like plumbing, welding, IT, and oil/gas exploration, with a focus on successful job placement rates. Partnerships must offer non-duplicative, progressive coursework leading to both diplomas and certificates in these sectors. The program begins for the 2027-2028 school year, with industries reviewed every five years to match labor market needs.

Maddy summarySB 1535 establishes a state-funded workforce development program through the Texas Workforce Commission to address labor needs in Texas's emerging advanced nuclear energy industry. The program requires the Commission to create a strategic plan identifying skills gaps and developing financial partnerships with universities, public colleges, and nuclear energy employers to fund training programs and research. It mandates the development of customized curricula for degree and certificate programs preparing students for high-wage nuclear energy jobs, with input from higher education institutions, the Public Utility Commission, and industry employers. This law directly affects Texas workers seeking nuclear energy careers, educational institutions offering relevant training, and nuclear energy companies operating in the state. The program becomes effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4076 prohibits health care providers from denying organ transplants or related services (like evaluations, surgery, or waiting list placement) solely based on a patient's vaccination status. It allows providers to consider vaccination status only if medically significant to the transplant, following individualized assessment - such as if unvaccinated patients face higher infection risks. The law covers all transplant stages and protects providers who comply with it from penalties, while permitting alternatives like antibody testing instead of vaccination requirements. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all organ transplant candidates in Texas.