Bills: HB109, HB136, HB 109, HB136, HB694, HB 1201, HB1716, HB2071, HB2216, HB2358, HB2807, HB2886, HCR78

Keywords: taxation, ballot propositions, public funding, voter information, transparency, training, public officials, candidates, requirements, political education, mental health, inpatient psychiatric facility, juvenile treatment, residential treatment facility, emotionally disturbed juveniles, Department of State Health Services, Health and Human Services Commission, state grant, facility construction, facility expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• So today I'm here to testify on how we focus on active efforts.
• Active efforts must be met with investment.
• efforts because she didn't do the visitation.
• The reason we set this bill was to have exactly this debate.
• My opinion has not changed for any reason.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB 116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB 1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Summary: The committee first reopened testimony on House Bill 2216, which would strengthen child welfare requirements by expanding “active efforts” to help families avoid removal and support reunification, while also raising standards related to removals and terminations. Supporters from child welfare and family defense groups said the bill would better protect families and align Texas more closely with ICWA-style principles, but several warned it would require significant new funding, staffing, and community services such as mental health care, housing, child care, and substance use treatment. The committee then left HB 2216 pending. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1782, aimed at boarding and group homes. Senator Miles said the bill closes enforcement gaps left by prior law by requiring retention of background-check records and creating misdemeanor penalties for failing to conduct or keep them, or for knowingly hiring people with serious convictions. Harris County sheriff’s investigators testified in support, describing illegal boarding homes, operators who evade permits and background checks, and exploitation of vulnerable residents; the bill was left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 481 on emergency preparedness for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, adopted a new committee substitute that softened some requirements and removed the fiscal note, and left the bill pending. The committee then heard House Bill 388, which would require the Texas Department of Insurance to create a single standardized coordination-of-benefits form for dual health plans to reduce errors and surprise bills; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1590 would move paternity registry searches for adoptions to an electronic process with a 10-day target, and House Bill 2809 would track child suicide attempts in managing conservatorship and require related reporting and parental notice; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1887, which would prohibit administering mRNA-containing products for immunization for 10 years, with exceptions for cancer and genetic disorders. Supporters argued the bill was needed for safety, informed consent, and medical freedom, while opponents from the medical, research, and public health communities said mRNA vaccines are well-studied, save lives, and that the bill would harm access, research, and Texas’s biotech economy. The bill remained under discussion as testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• For all other CPS cases, it's known as reasonable efforts.
• than reasonable efforts required by Title IV of the Social Security Act.
• For all other CPS cases, it's known as reasonable efforts.
• And guidance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs makes it clear that active effort reasonable efforts,
• Pages 11 to 15 say that ICWA's active efforts requirement exceeds reasonable efforts and is not excused

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB 116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB 1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum and took up several House and Senate bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The committee first heard HB 2358, a cleanup bill requested by HHSC that would repeal outdated training and conference requirements for long-term care facility surveyors and certain providers; there were no witnesses, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard HB 18, the rural hospital stabilization bill, which would create financial assessment tools, a rural hospital finance office at HHSC, an academy for rural hospital officers, multiple grant programs, enhanced Medicaid reimbursement tied to average cost, OB/GYN add-on payments, expanded pediatric telehealth connectivity, and a rural pediatric mental health program. Senator Perry and witnesses from TORCH, a rural hospital, AARP Texas, and ARCHI strongly supported the bill as a way to stabilize rural hospitals, improve OB access, and address workforce and financial pressures. Committee members discussed rural hospital closures, low-volume quality metrics, system affiliation, and the need for predictable monthly reimbursement; the bill was left pending after testimony and questions. The committee next heard HB 37, which would create a perinatal bereavement care initiative for families experiencing stillbirth, neonatal death, or intrauterine fetal demise, including counseling, staff training, and access to cooling devices, with possible grants and a recognition program for hospitals. Senator Huffman explained the bill, and several witnesses testified in support, sharing personal stories about infant loss and the importance of time with the baby, trained staff, and cuddle cots or similar devices. A neonatologist also supported the bill while suggesting clarification that hospitals should not be penalized if state funding is unavailable and recommending use of regional advisory councils to help implement training. Public testimony was then closed and the bill left pending. The committee also heard HB 879, which would create a streamlined licensing pathway for veterans with medical or nursing experience to practice in Texas, and HB 913, which would add new state hospitals to statute and split the North Texas State Hospital into two separate hospitals with their own superintendents; both bills had no opposition testimony and were left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2744, a heart disease screening bill that would update the 2009 Texas Heart Attack Prevention Act to require insurance coverage for coronary CT angiography with plaque analysis, including soft plaque detection, as a preventive screening tool. The author and invited witnesses argued the technology is more effective than calcium scoring alone, can identify patients before symptoms appear, and could save lives at a cost comparable to or lower than colonoscopy. An insurance industry witness opposed the bill, arguing the technology has not been recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for universal screening and that the mandated coverage and payment level would raise costs; the bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard HB 1151, a parental rights bill clarifying that refusing psychotropic medication or psychiatric treatment is not neglect unless the child is harmed. Supporters, including parent advocates and attorneys, said the bill would protect parents from CPS overreach and preserve medical decision-making authority, while one witness urged broader attention to physical causes of behavioral issues. Public testimony was closed and HB 1151 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• For that reason alone, it was classified as Schedule 1.
• Treatment is the reason why I'm sitting here in front of you today. I retired from the U.S.
• Well, there are efforts to do that. There are congressional bills introduced...
• Uh, Miss, do you know of any reason why this would be a health risk to public safety?
• I don't think there's an effort here to rid the state of Texas of cattle. And you nailed it.

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

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:

• I oppose SB2880 for two reasons. First, this bill violates the... Constitution.
• In 2019, Senator Campbell passed an effort that...
• For this reason, I oppose bills 31, 33, and 2880.
• I'm here in opposition to SB 2880 and SB 33 for several reasons.
• So if the only way something like this could even be reasonably looked at is if...

Bills: SB31, SB33, SB510, SB871, SB1868, SB2024, SB2166, SB2309, SB2880, SJR27, SJR39, SJR40, SB 31, SB 33

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Bills: SB31, SB33, SB510, SB871, SB1868, SB2024, SB2166, SB2309, SB2880, SJR27, SJR39, SJR40, SB 31, SB 33

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• Say reasonable medical judgment is the objective standards.
• Or doing it for any reason. There's a handful of those.
• We have no reason to...
• There are many reasons to promise. Reform and abortion, but not for the reasons that I had in mind.
• That's the reason I have one child, right?

Bills: HB44, HB2200, HB1612, HB2747, HB2038, HB3717, HB1431, HB3800, HB3801, HB3560, HB3246, HB44

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

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the law says, in a reasonable manner—what does that mean?
• How many children has interpreted this reasonable, reasonable manner definition?
• I think it is reasonable.
• Thank you so much for working with this chair in that effort.
• Last year, we supported Senator Morris's effort to ban kratom.

Bills: HR73, HR272, HR273, HR278, HCR91, HCR99, HCR100, HCR111, HB255, HB261, HB328, HB378, HB479, HB517, HB564, HB778, HB1090, SB135, SB278, SB448

Keywords: domestic abuse, protective orders, victim protection, Louisiana State Law Institute, mandatory procedures, parental discipline, corporal punishment, child abuse, cruelty to juveniles, juvenile delinquency, juvenile justice, child welfare, DCFS, Office of Juvenile Justice, reasonable discipline, parental rights, family law, law enforcement reports, abuse allegations, single-parent households

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 19, 2026, with a long agenda and several members’ bills and resolutions. The committee first considered HB 255, as substituted, which would add up to two years of imprisonment for a person charged with a felony or rioting offense who wore a mask or face covering to evade identification, with exceptions for religious coverings, motorcycles, and medical use. Supporters said it targeted concealment during felonies; the ACLU opposed it as redundant and potentially overbroad, while the Louisiana District Attorneys Association clarified the enhancement would apply only to felony convictions. The committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 255 favorably by a vote of 8-3. It then advanced HB 378, which creates penalties for using a vehicle to obstruct first responders and law enforcement; after an amendment narrowed the bill to first responders, it was reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, also passed favorably after testimony emphasizing attacks on houses of worship. HR 272, requesting a study on parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably as well. The committee also heard HB 479, the Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act, which would require more detailed reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts. Supporters, including the ACLU, said the bill would improve transparency and help lawmakers make better fiscal decisions; clerks of court opposed it as an unfunded mandate. Despite amendments shifting reporting duties and clarifying compliance with Children’s Code Article 412, the bill failed on a 4-7 roll call. The committee then deferred HCR 99 and took up HR 278, which asks the Attorney General to consult stakeholders and review electronic monitoring laws and regulations; supporters described serious failures in the current GPS monitoring system, and the resolution was reported favorably. HR 273, creating a task force to study work release programs, was also reported favorably after members said it would help refine the system and gather cost data. Later, the committee heard SB 448 on the Office of the State Public Defender. After discussion of a recent Supreme Court ruling and concerns about expert-witness funding and indigency determinations, the committee adopted an amendment adding a contradictory-hearing process and appellate review protections, then reported the bill as amended. HCR 100, concerning casino property sales, was amended to remove specific property references and instead urge the Gaming Control Board to consider economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the casino association withdrew opposition after the amendment, and the resolution was reported favorably as amended. The committee also voluntarily deferred SB 278 and HCR 91. HB 261, which would create exceptions to abortion laws for rape and certain sex offenses, drew extensive emotional testimony from supporters and opponents, including survivors and legislators discussing rape, incest, and fetal life; the bill was defeated 2-10. Finally, the committee took up HB 778 on kratom possession, with the author arguing for a distinction between natural kratom and synthetic products, and supporters and opponents offering conflicting testimony about safety, addiction recovery, and regulation.

Bills: SB44, SB546, SB1213, SB1256, SB1287, SB1443, SB1644, SB1653, SB1716, SB1209, SB1826, SB1919, SB1930, SB1976, SB2028, SB2067, SB2072, SB2117, SB710, SB1477, SB1405

Keywords: sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, contractors, charitable purposes, state law, SB1213, earned credits, inmate credits, good time, sentence reduction, Department of Corrections, DOC, prison reform, corrections policy, inmate classification, class levels, rehabilitation credits, achievement credits, vocational training, educational credits

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas this championship achievement was made possible through the combined efforts of the players

Bills: SR29, SB667, SB1466, SB1942, SB1989, SB1670, SB1716, SB1521, SB1273, SB1433, HJR1032, SB1969, SB1953, SB1277, SB1287, SB1061, SB1916, SB1589, SB2178, SB1444, SB1438, SB1501, SB1873, SB1364

Keywords: chiropractic, licensure, animal chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, licensing requirements, midwifery, healthcare, Advisory Committee, state health policy, public safety, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity, insurance claims, dentist rights, Oklahoma College Savings Plan, 529 plan, 529 savings account, college savings, higher education savings

Transcript Highlights:

• Active efforts must be met with investment.
• efforts due to her not participating in visitation.
• One of the reasons why troponin would be elevated is myocarditis.
• Are there not other reasons that troponin can be elevated, Doctor?
• And for that reason, we strongly support the bill.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB116, HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• , rather than merely reasonable efforts, to reunify families or avoid unnecessary separation.
• makes it clear that active efforts, and I'm quoting here, constitute more than reasonable efforts required
• Under reasonable efforts, our worker would meet with that family, identify plans for achieving safe and
• Pages 11-15 state that ICWA's active efforts require a reasonable effort, not excused by the presence
• Two things: the beyond reasonable doubt standard and then active efforts.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744, HB18, HB37, HB116

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Bills: HB146, HB322, HB469, HB1183, HB1481, HB1509, HB1510, HB1511, HB1514, HB1515, HB1516, HB1520, HB1522, HB1524, HB1531, HB1535, HB1548, HB1550, HB1559, HB1573, HB1574, HB1590, HB1593, HB1601, HB1603, HB1615, HB1628, HB1643, HB1644, HB1645, HB1648, HB1663, HB1667, HB1671, HB1678, HB1679, HB1682, HB1688, HB1691, HB1692, HB1695, HB1696, HB1697, HB1716, HB1721, HB1724, HB1725, HB1728, HB1730, HB1733, HB1737, HB1738, HB1739, HB1740, HB1741, HB1742, HB1752, HB1753, HB1764, HB1768, HB1769, HB1777, HB1782, HB1790, HB1799, HB1810, HB1823, HB1824, HB1832, HB1839, HB1840, HB1844, HB1845, HB1850, HB1851, HB1858, HB1860, HB1864, HB1870, HB1873, HB1875, HB1877, HB1878, HB1880, HB1881, HB1886, HB1888, HB1890, HB1892, HB1893, HB1898, HB1921, HB1934

Keywords: judiciary, Hawaiian language, Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, language access, cultural preservation, voter registration, automatic registration, state agencies, electoral participation, opt-out system, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Bills: HB146, HB322, HB469, HB1183, HB1481, HB1509, HB1510, HB1511, HB1514, HB1515, HB1516, HB1520, HB1522, HB1524, HB1531, HB1535, HB1548, HB1550, HB1559, HB1573, HB1574, HB1590, HB1593, HB1601, HB1603, HB1615, HB1628, HB1643, HB1644, HB1645, HB1648, HB1663, HB1667, HB1671, HB1678, HB1679, HB1682, HB1688, HB1691, HB1692, HB1695, HB1696, HB1697, HB1716, HB1721, HB1724, HB1725, HB1728, HB1730, HB1733, HB1737, HB1738, HB1739, HB1740, HB1741, HB1742, HB1752, HB1753, HB1764, HB1768, HB1769, HB1777, HB1782, HB1790, HB1799, HB1810, HB1823, HB1824, HB1832, HB1839, HB1840, HB1844, HB1845, HB1850, HB1851, HB1858, HB1860, HB1864, HB1870, HB1873, HB1875, HB1877, HB1878, HB1880, HB1881, HB1886, HB1888, HB1890, HB1892, HB1893, HB1898, HB1921, HB1934

Keywords: judiciary, Hawaiian language, Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, language access, cultural preservation, voter registration, automatic registration, state agencies, electoral participation, opt-out system, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Bills: HB146, HB322, HB469, HB1183, HB1481, HB1509, HB1510, HB1511, HB1514, HB1515, HB1516, HB1520, HB1522, HB1524, HB1531, HB1535, HB1548, HB1550, HB1559, HB1573, HB1574, HB1590, HB1593, HB1601, HB1603, HB1615, HB1628, HB1643, HB1644, HB1645, HB1648, HB1663, HB1667, HB1671, HB1678, HB1679, HB1682, HB1688, HB1691, HB1692, HB1695, HB1696, HB1697, HB1716, HB1721, HB1724, HB1725, HB1728, HB1730, HB1733, HB1737, HB1738, HB1739, HB1740, HB1741, HB1742, HB1752, HB1753, HB1764, HB1768, HB1769, HB1777, HB1782, HB1790, HB1799, HB1810, HB1823, HB1824, HB1832, HB1839, HB1840, HB1844, HB1845, HB1850, HB1851, HB1858, HB1860, HB1864, HB1870, HB1873, HB1875, HB1877, HB1878, HB1880, HB1881, HB1886, HB1888, HB1890, HB1892, HB1893, HB1898, HB1921, HB1934

Keywords: judiciary, Hawaiian language, Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, language access, cultural preservation, voter registration, automatic registration, state agencies, electoral participation, opt-out system, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• And so when we say a single reasonable opportunity period, so basically does that mean if for any reason
• Finley mentioned that she thinks if there was a reason that we could maybe go more than a reasonable
• And the reason I can't ask you questions, the reason I bring up these questions is for the committee
• I think that's a reasonable approach.
• , or the maternal mortality efforts.

Bills: HR267, HCR105, HCR107, HCR110, HCR113, HCR114, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB237, SB333, SB433, SB483, SCR37

Keywords: diabetes, amputation, amputations, diabetic foot ulcer, peripheral artery disease, PAD, wound care, podiatry, vascular disease, endocrinology, limb salvage, health policy, public health, healthcare costs, insurance coverage, Louisiana Department of Health, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, patient education, screening

Transcript Highlights:

• And the last thing I told our clerk last night, 'there's no reason for anyone to be here till 2 a.m.
• Those are things we usually do in business, and honestly, I have seen no effort.
• There's been not one effort put forward to study the expansion population to study.

Bills: SB1090, SJR49, SB633, HR1059, SB650, SB2063, SB122, SB1614, SB1884, SJR52, SJR53, HJR1101, SJR50, HB3021, HR1058, SB514, SB382, HB3320, SB740, SB833, SB2143, SB1209, SB244

Keywords: wildlife, conservation, Oklahoma, regulations, permanent rules, Leo's Law, child endangerment, fentanyl testing, drug screening, child welfare, Oklahoma Children's Code, substance abuse, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, AAPI, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Oklahoma House resolution, commemorative resolution, heritage month, cultural recognition

Bills: SB504, SB844, SB1209, SB1266, SB1303, SB1448, SB1496, SB1595, SB1597, SB1655, SB1679, SB1621, SB1716, SB1769, SB1827, SB1876, SB1944, SB2072, SB2084, SB2104, SB2112, SB2170, SB2180, SB2182

Keywords: charitable organizations, donor restrictions, endowment gifts, Safeguarding Endowment Gifts Act, Oklahoma, donor rights, charitable contributions, forcible entry, detainer, trial period, legal notices, housing law, SB1266, notary public, notaries, legal advice, unauthorized practice of law, misdemeanor, Secretary of State, appointment revocation

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a reason why the title's still off? Is there a reason why the title's still off? No.
• And if they don't, within some reasonable amount of time, there is a series of escalating fines attached
• And if they don't, within some reasonable amount of time, there is a series of escalating fines attached
• He said that the reason they are raising concerns is that all the pharmacy prescriptions are going up
• many years, and it has been derailed at various points every single time it has been tried for one reason

Bills: SB206, SB640, SB667, SB1344, SB1380, SB1423, SB1425, SB1436, SB1484, SB1500, SB1502, SB1503, SB1557, SB1562, SB1572, SB1644, SB1645, SB1794, SB1796, SB1806, SB1849, SB1984, SB2007, SB2074

Keywords: SB206, emergency medical services, EMS, ambulance, 911 response, emergency response, essential services, federal funding, grant funding, public health, health care facility, municipality, county, ambulance service district, tribal entity, public entity, contract ambulance service, Oklahoma, 63 O.S. 2021 Section 1-2502, emergency clause

Bills: HB 2242, HB 2446, HB 2799, HB 4502, HB 2920, HB 2790, HB 5620, HB 5060, HB 5076, HB 5080, HB 5081, HB 5128, HB 5130, HB 3847, HB 5116, HB 2969, HB 4546, HB 4202, HB 5624, HB 3964, HB 4803, HB 872, HB 4775, HB 4777, HB 4961, HB 5570, HB 2988, HB 4260, HB 1375, HB 5009, HB 5411, HB 5134, HB 4388, HB 3095, HB 1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee