
During the 85th Legislative Session I worked alongside my colleagues in the House and in the Senate to craft meaningful laws that benefit not only my district, but the entire state of Texas. Governor Abbott recently signed a few of these bills into law and I am proud to share the following with you
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICE REFORM BILLS
Four child welfare bills were into law that aim to recalibrate how the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services works with endangered children across the state.
HB 4: Aims to lower financial barriers to kinship care, which places children with relatives or close family friends
HB 5: Makes CPS a standalone agency that reports directly to the governo
HB 7: Directs the Department of Family and Protective Services only to remove children from their homes over allegations of violence or abuse
SB 11 *: Gives contracted organizations ability to monitor children in foster or adoptive homes
MY OTHER BILLS
HB 2306
This bill gives law enforcement agencies additional reimbursement of funds from auction proceeds, which in turn allows for greater compensation to private property owners whose property was damaged because of a pursuit involving an abandoned motor vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft motor vehicle.
HB 1697
Access to pediatric subspecialists is severely limited in some areas of the state and is possible only by medical transport over long distances, which is disruptive to families and potentially expensive. This bill improves access to pediatric subspecialist care, connects rural hospitals to the state’s advanced pediatric specialists, and reduces the number of fragile infants who must be transferred to large urban centers for specialty care through the establishment of a grant program.
HB 2580
This bill changes the law to allow the Savings and Mortgage Lending Commissioner authority to inquire with DPS regarding criminal background checks of individuals over whom the commissioner has such authority (applicant for or holder of a license, charter, contractor, subcontractor, employee, intern).
HB 1099
Current state law prohibits landlords from prohibiting residential tenants the right to summon police or emergency assistance or impose monetary penalties on residential tenants who summon police or emergency assistance in response to family violence. This bill will ensure that all Texans have access to emergency assistance by prohibiting a landlord’s ability to prevent or dissuade tenants from calling for emergency help if they reasonably believe that an individual needs intervention or emergency assistance.
HB 3921
This bill protects the financial well-being of certain vulnerable adults by authorizing financial institutions, securities dealers, and investment advisers to place a hold on suspicious transactions involving these vulnerable adults and by requiring the reporting of suspected financial exploitation.
HB 3276
This bill takes important steps to require greater transparency at freestanding ERs to ensure consumers receive adequate information to make informed healthcare decisions for them and their families. This bill amends current law relating to notice of health benefit plan provider network status provided by certain freestanding emergency medical care facilities.
HB 1983
This bill seeks to remedy issues within the current system to make PTSD, as diagnosed by the American Psychiatric Association, a compensable injury under workers’ compensation. This bill gives a fire fighter or police officer the option to apply for benefits under workers’ compensation for PTSD without declaring a mental impairment, providing they meet the diagnostic criteria and the condition was caused by an event occurring within the scope of their employment as a fire fighter or police officer.
HB 377
This bill allows all surviving spouses of deceased veterans the ability to order the same specialty plates that the veteran would have been able to order if they were still alive. This benefit remains in place so long as the surviving spouse does not remarry; it also closes the loophole in current statute that prevents a spouse of a deceased veteran from being able to honor the memory of their loved one’s service to our nation.
HB 355
This bill prohibits registered sex offenders from living in on-campus dormitories or other housing facilities. The bill also enables institutions of higher education to decide if a registered sex offender who is rated at the lowest likelihood of reoffending can live in on-campus housing.
HB 62
This bill establishes a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of not more than $99 for a first-time offense or $200 if the offender has been previously convicted for the same offense, for using a hand held device to read, write, or send a text based communication while operating a moving vehicle that is not stopped.
HB 2937
This bill amends current law relating to the establishment of a pilot program under which a licensed hospital may offer dual credit courses to public high school students. While many dual-credit offerings are useful for students who intend to enter the medical field, there is not currently an opportunity for hospitals to work directly with students who wish to obtain industry certifications to become sonography, radiology, or patient care technicians. These courses will help students work towards receiving Texas Workforce Commission-approved industry certifications in these high-need medical fields, contributing to the effort to fulfill our state’s growing healthcare workforce needs.
OTHER STATE WIDE BILLS PASSED
SB 7 : Requires principals and superintendents to report cases of teachers having inappropriate relationships with students or face a state jail felony or a fine of up to $10,000. It goes into effect Sept. 1
SB 16 : This bill reduces the first-time fee for a license to carry from $140 to $40 and the renewal fee from $70 to $40. A license to carry permit is valid in Texas for five years. The new fee will go into effect on Sept. 1.
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