Transcript Highlights:

• terms are left open to an individual’s interpretation, there is a risk for bias and assumptions influencing
• There are concerns that offenders who repeatedly engage in small-scale drug distribution can continuously
• accumulate multiple pending state jail cases for minor drug deliveries.
• Waller County DA Sean Whitmire for working with me on this important change to crack down on repeat drug

Bills: SB330 , SB663 , SB1020 , SB1152 , SB1164 , SB1896 , SB2111 , SB2196 , SB2383 , SB2581 , SB2797 , SB2798 , SB2371

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: county funding, prosecutors' offices, elections, law enforcement, local government, community supervision, budget approval, corrections department, strategic plan, judicial oversight, SB 1020, Texas, personal bond office, pretrial release, electronic monitoring, GPS monitoring, global positioning system, bond conditions, probation, parole

Summary: The committee heard several criminal justice bills, with testimony largely focused on public safety, court procedures, and local criminal justice administration. SB 2371 would expand mandatory skimmer-reporting requirements from gas pumps to ATMs, point-of-sale systems, and virtual currency kiosks, with the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center saying centralized reporting would improve investigations, preserve evidence, and help identify organized criminal groups. SB 2581 would repeal a special law governing commissary funds in certain large counties; the sponsor and the Sheriff’s Association said it would restore parity with other counties while keeping spending subject to audit and inmate-benefit limits. Both bills were laid out and left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them at the hearing. The committee also heard SB 330, which would require voter approval before counties over a certain size reduce prosecutor funding, similar to an existing law for law enforcement budgets. Supporters argued prosecutors are essential to public safety and need stable funding, while an opponent from the Texas Civil Rights Project said the bill would restrict local budget flexibility and impose costly elections. SB 663 would remove district judges’ approval role for community supervision and corrections department budgets, replacing it with judge review after TDCJ-CJAD approval; probation officials said the change would reduce delays and confusion without reducing judicial oversight. SB 1020 would require more immediate sharing of ankle-monitor violation information and clarify that such records are not judicial work product; the Harris County DA’s office and Crime Stoppers supported it, citing inconsistent local practices and delays that can hinder prosecutions. The committee then took up SB 1164 on emergency detention and court-ordered mental health services. The bill, from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health, would update emergency detention forms, clarify officer duties, allow filings in the county where a person is apprehended or located, and add a factor related to a person’s inability to recognize symptoms or appreciate treatment risks. Supporters included family members, law enforcement, and mental health and judicial witnesses who described cases where earlier intervention might have prevented tragedy; opponents warned the broader language could be misused and emphasized due process and the need for dangerousness to remain the standard. SB 2111 on indigent defense would expand access to counsel at first hearings, strengthen managed assigned counsel programs, create internships and fellowships, and adjust other defense-related procedures; the Texas Indigent Defense Commission and county defense program leaders supported it, while the committee substitute removed some provisions to reduce fiscal impact. Finally, SB 2383 would let recently retired DPS officers return to work in limited roles to help address staffing shortages, and SB 2797 would create reciprocal discovery requirements for criminal cases; prosecutors and some committee members said it would reduce trial surprise and improve truth-seeking, while others questioned whether the bill fully matched the state’s disclosure obligations and whether it could burden defense rights. Several bills were left pending after testimony, and the committee established a quorum later in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And just to be clear, this bill, if passed, does not legalize this drug.
• big pharma influence.
• The drug will be synthesized from... Is that correct, Doc?
• We do have drugs that require a plant.
• It was one of the three drugs, and Taxol was one of them.

Bills: HB 44 , HB 2200 , HB 1612 , HB 2747 , HB 2038 , HB 3717 , HB 1431 , HB 3800 , HB 3801 , HB 3560 , HB 3246

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Summary: The meeting of the public health committee focused on the pressing issue of opioid addiction in Texas, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 3717. Chairman Harris detailed the bill's intent to fund a grant program for Ibogaine clinical trials, framing it as a critical response to the ongoing opioid crisis. He shared poignant testimonies highlighting the struggles of families and veterans battling addiction and mental health issues. The conversation underscored the necessity of innovative treatments, like Ibogaine, which showed promising results in studies for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and PTSD.

Transcript Highlights:

• um</c><00:37:26.200><c> um</c><00:37:26.599><c> batch</c><00:37:26.839><c> of</c><00:37:26.960><c> drugs
• </c><00:37:27.280><c> out</c><00:37:27.520><c> out</c> dangerous um um batch of drugs out out dangerous
• um um batch of drugs out out there<00:37:28.520><c> uh</c><00:37:28.640><c> and</c><00:37:28.839><c>
• 00:38:19.280><c> trafficking</c><00:38:19.760><c> areas</c><00:38:20.319><c> so</c> high intensity drug
• trafficking areas so high intensity drug trafficking areas so this<00:38:20.599><c> is</c><00:38:20.720

Bills: HF1379 , HF1596 , HF2260 , HF1429

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: nonopioid directive, opioid refusal, opioid-free care, pain management, health care directive, advance directive, patient autonomy, informed consent, substance use disorder, opioid epidemic, prescriber immunity, provider liability, emergency medical services, EMS, health record, Minnesota Department of Health, health care agent, medical power of attorney, Metropolitan Council, Minnesota government data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't actually care about cannabis, but I care about writing the wrongs of, you know, the war on drugs
• um as a pharmacy technician I legally um as a pharmacy technician I legally sell<00:54:02.119><c> drugs
• She said that she legally sells drugs that can kill someone in an instant by being just over 1 milligram
• She said she gives patients drugs that are covered by their medical insurances and come with a partnering
• only having one license type, part of the effort not to allow too much consolidation or too much influence

Bills: HF1672 , HF1877 , HF1735 , HF1734 , HF1271 , HF1634 , HF1615

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis, cannabis flower, cannabis products, dispensary, cannabis retail endorsement, patient protections

Transcript Highlights:

• Fentanyl triggers a state drug trafficking statute.
• But we just don't want to put people who are drug addicts... And if I may, I have one thing.
• So I would think that administering a drug to a woman would constitute assault.
• So I would think that administering a drug to a woman would constitute assault.
• It's the giving of the drug with the intent to cause it.

Bills: HB2043 , HB2046 , HB2126 , HB2131 , HB2132 , HB2133 , HB2223 , HB2265 , HB2411 , HB2666

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: felony murder, unborn child, homicide, Arizona Revised Statutes, life imprisonment, death penalty, education, funding, school districts, state aid, education reform, venue, employee conflict, superior court, legal proceedings, workplace disputes, weapons, explosives, trafficking, firearm regulations

Bills: HR290 , HR298 , SB405 , SCR61 , HR318

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: gender-affirming care, gender affirming therapy, gender-affirming hormone therapy, transgender health, trans youth, LGBTQ, mental health, psychosis, psychiatric conditions, puberty blockers, androgen blockers, cross-sex hormones, estrogen, testosterone, informed consent, screening, monitoring protocols, Louisiana Department of Health, LDH, House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• This prohibits foreign entities and foreign-influence business entities from making contributions, expenditures

Bills: SB2981 , SB2982 , SB2983 , SB2986 , SB2991 , SB3001 , SB3010 , SB3014 , SB3032 , SB3033

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: foreign influence, campaign finance, contributions, state elections, transparency, election integrity, criminal offense, natural resources, tree protection, state property, environment, land use, boundary amendment, administrative fines, Land Use Commission, infrastructure compliance, highway safety, driver's license, administrative revocation, alcohol-related offenses

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and considered several Senate bills, generally following recommendations to pass measures with or without amendments. SB 2981 would prohibit minimum off-street parking requirements for new development in urban districts and was adopted unamended, with Senator Awa voting no. SB 2982, which bars foreign entities and foreign-influence business entities from making election-related contributions or expenditures, was adopted with an amendment adopting Attorney General language for required advertisement statements. The committee also advanced SB 2983, creating a misdemeanor offense for criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property; one member opposed it, suggesting a replanting requirement would be a better environmental remedy, but the bill was still adopted unamended. SB 2986, concerning Land Use Commission authority to amend or revise district boundary amendment decisions when conditions are not met, passed with an amendment addressing a defective effective date. SB 2991, on driver’s license revocations for certain alcohol-related offenses and re-examination requirements, passed with amendments clarifying revocation orders and re-examination procedures. Members then approved SB 3001, which regulates conversational artificial intelligence services by requiring disclosures and protocols to prevent suicidal ideation, with amendments incorporating AG and OCP recommendations, including a personal data definition and broader data minimization language. SB 3010, allowing officials and in some cases private citizens to enter unattended vehicles to protect endangered pet animals, passed with amendments. The committee also adopted SB 3014 on higher fines for taking or harassing protected turtles, SB 3032 clarifying beach and marine deposit prohibitions, and SB 3033 allowing petitions to review beach structure integrity despite a bad effective date; Senator Awa again voted no on SB 3033. The meeting adjourned after the committee noted a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> drugs in the community. drugs in the community.
• drugs is illegal<01:17:20.760><c> everywhere.
• drug crime.
• By implementing measures to deter drug By implementing measures to deter drug use<01:20:44.400><c> in
• </c><01:22:27.360><c> zones</c> despite evidence that drug-free zones despite evidence that drug-free

Bills: SB709 , SB2089 , SB2090 , SB2108 , SB2211 , SB2250 , SB2325 , SB2803 , SB2866 , SB3245

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: mental health, crisis intervention, assisted community treatment, treatment orders, law enforcement training, public safety, court-ordered treatment, Medicaid, healthcare access, unlicensed professionals, supervised services, workforce development, mental health equity, child custody, evaluations, licensed counselors, family court, juvenile justice, waiver of jurisdiction, transfer to adult court

Summary: The committee heard SB 709 SD2, which would require the Department of Health to respond to reports involving persons with severe mental illness, assess eligibility for assisted community treatment, and coordinate treatment when appropriate. Testimony from the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health supported the measure, with DOH saying it generally supported the bill but had comments on one section it viewed as unnecessary. The Department of Law Enforcement later explained that the bill would shift certification and standards for crisis intervention officer training from DOH to DLE, while still involving DOH in the training process. Opposition came from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and an individual testifier, both of whom argued the bill expands state authority over people with mental illness and could worsen forced treatment practices. The Disability Rights Center also raised procedural concerns, saying the bill was effectively moved from a prior administration measure that had not been heard this session, and questioned whether the bill’s changes to assisted community treatment, blood tests, urinalysis, and living arrangements went beyond current law. The individual testifier argued the bill would further entrench harmful psychiatric drugging and urged the committee to defer it. Committee members questioned the administration about the bill’s process, the role of the Attorney General in treatment-over-objection proceedings, and the practical effects of moving CIT certification to DLE. The Attorney General’s office said the bill was intended to fill a gap by allowing it to assist with treatment proceedings, while public defenders would continue to represent respondents and due process protections would remain in place. DLE and DOH said the change would better align certification with law enforcement training needs, improve speed in crisis response, and still keep DOH involved; members also discussed whether WAM counted as a hearing and whether the bill should more explicitly preserve DOH’s role. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is easy to mix with other drugs. It is, as Mr.
• It is easy to mix with other drugs. It is, as Mr.
• </c><00:46:36.000><c> In</c> pervasiveness of that new drug. In pervasiveness of that new drug.
• It is easy to mix with other drugs. It is, as Mr.
• Um, so that's is a schedule two drug.

Bills: HF1918 , HF2305 , HF897 , HF2191 , HF2617 , HF2551 , HF2137

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1918, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, child welfare, foster care, out-of-home placement, permanency planning, relative search, noncustodial parent, kinship care, family preservation, African American Child and Family Well-Being, racial disproportionality, maltreatment reporting, educational neglect, truancy, school attendance, Great Start compensation, child care provider payments, TEACH early childhood program

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just curious why melatonin and not any other drug like Tylenol.
• It is not a scheduled drug.
• We went through the Federal Register and identified several drugs that they had scheduled.
• And can it not also influence in divorce cases child... ...needs water.
• And can it not also influence in divorce cases child custody? Well, it absolutely can.

Bills: HB53 , HB57 , HB64 , HB100 , HB102 , HB106 , HB111 , HB137 , HB152 , HB155 , HB337 , HB957

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: racketeering, gambling crimes, law enforcement, public safety, criminal justice, temporary restraining orders, abuse prevention, evidence, court procedures, legal protections, felony speeding, traffic laws, penalties, elderly, infirmities, abuse, neglect, crime of violence, criminal liability, caregiver

Bills: HB2226 , HB2406 , HB2663 , HB2695 , HB2805 , HB2976

Committee: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Keywords: veteran status, veterans court, treatment court, diversion program, initial appearance, arrestee processing, criminal procedure, DD-214, Department of Veterans' Services, prosecuting agency, court notification, military service, armed forces, veterans benefits, reentry, mental health court, drug court, specialty court, Arizona criminal law, pretrial hearing

Bills: SB 614 , SB 872 , SB 1199 , SB 1212 , SB 1278 , SB 1573 , SB 1588 , SB 1602 , SB 1660 , SB 1704 , SB 1723 , SB 1833 , SB 1858 , SB 1946 , SB 2009 , SB 2146 , SB 2177 , SB 2373 , SB 2460 , SB 2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, prisoner death, investigation, county jail, law enforcement, autopsy, trafficking, prostitution, affirmative defense, coercion, duress, victim rights, child abuse, mandatory reporting, criminal penalties, neglect

Bills: SB 128 , SB 640 , SB 672 , SB 904 , SB 1141 , SB 1263 , SB 1525 , SB 1528 , SB 2041 , SB 2306 , SB 2308 , SB 2357 , SB 2446 , SB 2695 , SB 2857 , SB 2891 , SB 2583

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, hearing instruments, licensing, continuing education, patient protection, medical evaluations, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, adversary hearing, protected rights, legal custody, prescription drugs, prior authorization, neurodegenerative diseases, health benefits

Bills: SB 128 , SB 640 , SB 672 , SB 904 , SB 1141 , SB 1263 , SB 1525 , SB 1528 , SB 2041 , SB 2306 , SB 2308 , SB 2357 , SB 2446 , SB 2695 , SB 2857 , SB 2891 , SB 2583

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, hearing instruments, licensing, continuing education, patient protection, medical evaluations, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, adversary hearing, protected rights, legal custody, prescription drugs, prior authorization, neurodegenerative diseases, health benefits

Bills: HB1322 , HB3053 , HB3180 , HB3244 , HB3269 , HB3299 , HB3301 , HB3302 , HB3430 , HB3497 , HB3584 , HB3586 , HB3587 , HB3606 , HB3742 , HB3743 , HB3755 , HB3764 , HB3767 , HB3835 , HB3848 , HB3903 , HB3905 , HB4108 , HB4130 , HB4142 , HB4227 , HB3996

Committee: House Criminal Judiciary

Keywords: domestic violence, offenders registry, public safety, law enforcement, victim protection, conviction records, elderly, parole, criminal justice reform, inmate rehabilitation, Oklahoma statutes, firearms, handgun permits, self-defense, training requirements, Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, elderly exploitation, identity theft, crimes and punishments, criminal offenses

Bills: HB1322 , HB3053 , HB3180 , HB3244 , HB3269 , HB3299 , HB3301 , HB3302 , HB3430 , HB3497 , HB3584 , HB3586 , HB3587 , HB3606 , HB3742 , HB3743 , HB3755 , HB3764 , HB3767 , HB3835 , HB3848 , HB3903 , HB3905 , HB4108 , HB4130 , HB4142 , HB4227 , HB3996

Committee: House Criminal Judiciary

Keywords: domestic violence, offenders registry, public safety, law enforcement, victim protection, conviction records, elderly, parole, criminal justice reform, inmate rehabilitation, Oklahoma statutes, firearms, handgun permits, self-defense, training requirements, Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, elderly exploitation, identity theft, crimes and punishments, criminal offenses

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a long agenda of criminal justice bills, with most measures receiving due pass recommendations after brief explanations and little or no debate. Early bills included HB 3586 on modifications to the charging process for abuse and neglect, HB 3584 on sentencing changes for human trafficking involving minors and people with mental disabilities, HB 3587 on outpatient treatment procedures for individuals in the criminal justice center, HB 3743 on community-based outpatient restoration treatment under a PCS and amendment, and HB 3742 on criminal discovery process changes. All of these were reported out favorably, generally by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Members also advanced HB 4227, Trey’s Law, which would protect child sexual abuse survivors by allowing claims and limiting nondisclosure agreements; HB 3764, which increases penalties for people charged while on the DOJ terrorist list, after an amendment changing the proof language; HB 3767, an Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics request adding controlled substances and updating terminology; HB 3606, allowing court review for removal from the sex offender registry in cases of medical infirmity or cognitive decline; HB 3299, creating a new offense for unauthorized digitized or synthetic media intended to cause harm; HB 3835, a human trafficking prevention bill; HB 3244, expanding fraud and identity theft laws; and HB 4130, addressing online sweepstakes/casino gaming enforcement with an amendment clarifying tribal gaming under federal law. HB 318 and HB 3302 were laid over. Later, the committee approved HB 3053, creating a narrow parole pathway for incarcerated people age 65 and older, with amendments excluding violent offenses, sex offenses, and certain other crimes; HB 3269, allowing electronic arrest warrants; HB 3301, aligning state law with federal law on short-barreled firearms after an amendment restoring the 16-inch language; HB 3430, revising court fines and fees collection and distinguishing permanent from temporary inability to pay; HB 3497, clarifying when the state may appeal a pretrial order; HB 3755, requiring OJA to provide prescribed medication and medical information to detention facilities within 48 hours for juveniles in custody; HB 3848, easing transitional housing restrictions for released sex offenders; HB 3903, requiring domestic violence incident reports and filing of VPO petitions and adding judicial training; HB 3905, allowing counties to use available funds for GPS monitoring in domestic violence cases; HB 3996, requiring OIDS to pay for expert witnesses in capital post-conviction cases; HB 4142, expanding explosives laws to cover attempts and intent; HB 1322, creating a public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders; and HB 4108, expanding critical infrastructure trespass laws to include airports. Most bills were reported due pass, with votes commonly ranging from unanimous to a few dissenting votes, and the chair recessed/adjourned after the agenda was completed.

Bills: SB2169 , SB2263 , SB2360 , SB2359 , SB2031 , SB2796 , SB3090 , SB3091 , SB3092 , SB2120 , SB2593 , SB2751 , SB2135 , SB2024 , SB2872 , SB3179 , SB2308 , SB2392 , SB2470 , SB2398 , SB2902 , SB2841 , SB2436 , SB2806 , SB2691 , SB2824 , SB2645 , SB2384 , SB2697 , SB3153 , SB3156 , SB888 , SB2423 , SB2746

Keywords: business competitiveness, economic development, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, business climate, regulatory reform, permitting, economic ranking, state ranking, top 10 states, business climate improvement working group, business revitalization task force, CNBC America’s Top States for Business, Hawaii business climate, workforce development, infrastructure, cost of doing business, tax competitiveness, labor unions, private sector

Transcript Highlights:

• It's folks that are gaming the system that are providers, the transportation, the drugs, whatever.
• It's folks that are gaming the system that are providers, the transportation, the drugs, whatever.
• Gentleman from McCracken. the drugs, whatever. So let's look at the drugs, whatever.

Bills: SB141 , SB124 , SB56 , SJR116 , SB94 , SB37 , SB127 , SB197 , SB66 , SB70 , SB133 , SB160 , SB214 , SB312 , SB52 , SJR62 , SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• 2026, at 10:16 a.m., declares it a felony for health care providers, health care institutions, or drug
• of an enrollee's health insurance costs by a health care professional, health care institution, or drug
• of an enrollee's health insurance costs by a health care professional, health care institution, or drug
• The bill basically addresses two issues: one, making sure that if you're a provider or a drug company
• The bill defines medical intervention as a medical procedure, treatment, device, drug, injection, medication

Bills: HB2408 , HB2434 , HB2725 , HB2728 , HB2729 , HB2730 , HB2731 , HB2732 , HB2733 , SB1192 , SB1398 , SB1399 , SB1494 , SB1557 , SB1813 , SB1821

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: nursing board, regulatory actions, disciplinary actions, expungement, healthcare professionalism, controlled substances, prescription monitoring, opioid crisis, healthcare regulations, patient safety, prescription drugs, opioids, healthcare, pain management, utilization controls, AHCCCS, Department of Economic Security, social services, welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• to take them because he’d had friends that had a similar injury, and none of them were drinkers or drug
• We know that often drugs are picked up by a family member and brought home.
• This bill establishes the prescription drug purchasing pool.

Bills: HB136 , HB451 , SB425 , SB466 , SB905 , SB1986 , SB2311 , SB2450 , SB2805 , SB2826 , SB2919 , SB3001

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and announced it would vote on pending bills at 10:30, with public testimony limited to two minutes. It first took up Senate Bill 905, a TDLR cleanup bill on licensing regulation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Senator Zafferini said the committee substitute would streamline advisory board consultation, remove obsolete provisional licenses, and allow any licensed physician to authorize hearing instruments for minors; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 451, which would require universal screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk for children in DFPS conservatorship and youth under TJJD jurisdiction. The author and witnesses from Children at Risk, the Fort Bend Anti-Trafficking Collective, and Texas CASA supported the bill as a prevention tool with existing infrastructure and training; the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. The committee next considered Senate Bill 466, which would clarify that families may request a fetal death certificate at any gestational age, while keeping existing filing requirements for physicians. A constituent father testified about losing his 11-week-old daughter and being told he could not obtain a certificate, which he said prevented funeral arrangements; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. Senate Bill 2311 followed, requiring residential treatment centers to have a written agreement with the school that will educate resident children before becoming operational. The author cited a local dispute where an RTC and school district lacked communication, and witnesses from Texas CASA and Disability Rights Texas supported clearer educational planning while suggesting the Education Code may need conforming changes; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2826, known as Alyssa’s Law, which would create a statewide education program on medical child abuse for medical students, health care professionals, and CPS caseworkers. The author and Sheriff Bill Weyburn described Alyssa’s case as involving repeated unnecessary surgeries and argued the bill would improve awareness and early identification, while several witnesses and members raised concerns about false accusations, impacts on medically fragile children, and the need for scientific, peer-reviewed training and safeguards. After extensive discussion, the chair left the bill pending. The committee also heard House Bill 136, which would add certified lactation consultants as Medicaid providers to expand breastfeeding support; witnesses from lactation and nutrition fields said the bill would improve access, maternal and infant health, and long-term savings, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2805, a surprise-billing/arbitration measure that would clarify provider identifiers and shift arbitration costs to the losing party. The author said the substitute was a legislative counsel draft with no substantive difference, and witnesses from the Texas Medical Association, Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, and U.S. Anesthesia Partners supported the bill as a modest improvement that would reduce administrative confusion and make arbitration fairer without weakening patient protections. Members discussed how arbitration costs affect settlement behavior and how to define the “winner” in close cases. The bill was heard but not voted out during this segment.