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Current Legislation from the 83rd Legislature

Written by Jeffery Patterson, Executive Director, Texas Catholic Conference
March 1, 2013
Last Updated on April 15, 2013




Protecting Human Life
Position Summary
x-icon HB 58: This bill allows the state to fund women's health services provided by organizations that perform and promote elective abortions or contract with entities that perform and promote elective abortions. The TCC opposes this bill because it allows public funding to abortion providers.
x-icon HB 142: This bill, known as a "clone and kill" bill, allows for the creation and destruction of human life for research. The TCC opposes this bill because the creation and destruction of innocent human life for experimental testing is unethical and denies the dignity of the young unborn life.
check mark icon HB 309: This bill prohibits the abortion of a child based on the child's gender. The TCC supports this bill based on the moral principle of protection of human life.
x-icon HB 775: This bill allows single persons to enter into surrogacy contracts. The TCC opposes this bill because it both invitro fertilization and surrogacy are violations of human life and dignity.
x-icon HB 1709: This bill requires that the state recreate the Medicaid Women's Health Program and include abortion providers in the program. The TCC opposes this bill to provide taxpayer funding to abortion providers.
x-icon HB 2159 / HB 2160: This bill allows unmarried 15 year old teen mothers to consent to medical exams related to contraception. The TCC opposes this bill because it erodes parental rights.
check mark icon HB 2308: This bill requires additional reporting for abortion facilities and provides penalites for failure to report. The TCC supports this bill to increase regulation for abortion facilities.
check mark icon HB 2309: This bill imposes fines on abortion facilities for failure to file require reports and directs the Health and Human Services commission to revoke the license of a facility that fails to file the report within 6 months of it's due date. The TCC supports this bill which holds abortion facilities accountable for following state requirements.
check mark icon HB 2364 / SB 25: This bill prohibits abortions for women who are at least 20 weeks pregnant. The TCC supports this bill which further restricts the conditions under which the state will sanction abortion.
check mark icon HB 2816 / SB 1198: This bill requires that a physician who performs abortions have admitting privileges at a local hospital that provides obstetrical healthcare. Although the TCC seeks an end to abortion, we support this bill to ensure that doctors are able to provide follow-up care to women locally if there are complications from abortion.
check mark icon HB 3243: This bill requires that if a minor is seeking judicial bypass for an abortion, the bypass request is made to the county of her residence. It also appoints a guardian ad litem to represnt the interests of the minor who is not the minor's attorney and creates a presumption that consent of the minor's parents is in the best interest of the minor. The TCC supports this bill which puts in place greater protections for the unborn and for parental rights.
check mark icon HB 3247: This bill adds steps to the informed consent process to prevent coerced abortions. The TCC supports this bill as a gradualistic approach to reducing abortions in Texas.
check mark icon HB 3302: This bill requires a physician performing an abortion on a minor to verify parental consent in person at the minors residence and weakens the ability of a minor to obtain a judicial bypass from parental consent by closing the venue and requiring more evidence. The TCC supports this bill because it increases parental rights and restricts access to abortion for minors.
x-icon HB 3744: This bill repeals the 24 hour waiting period for abortion in Texas. The TCC opposes this bill because it increases access to abortion.
check mark icon HCR 57: This bill requests a joint interim committee to study human trafficking in Texas. The TCC supports this bill to prevent human trafficking.
check mark icon SB 67: This bill requires institutions to report the amounts spent on and funding sources for embryonic stem cell research and adult stem cell research. The TCC supports this bill to determine if public funds are being used for embryonic stem cell research.
check mark icon SB 97: This bill prohibits people who are not physicians from providing or prescribing abortion-inducing drugs. It requires physicians who prescribe abortion-inducing drugs to physically examine the mother before giving the drug, and also to provide a mother with the contact information for another physician who has admitting privileges at a hospital and who will treat emergencies arising from the drug. It also requires reporting adverse events related to the use of the drugs. The TCC supports this bill as a gradualistic approach to ending abortion in Texas.
check mark icon SB 537: This bill requires that all abortion facilities comply with the standard for ambulatory surgery centers. The TCC supports this bill to increase the inspections and regulations of abortion facilities.

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Children and Families
Position Summary
x-icon HB 51: This bill prohibits school boards from prohibiting the posting of the ten commandments in classrooms. The TCC opposes this bill because decisions regarding the use and display of the ten commandments for educational purposes in a public school should be evaluated by local school administrators.
check mark icon HB 85: This bill allows local school districts to determine if the STAR test or a nationally norm referenced exam should be used to assess student progress and reduces the emphasis on testing. The TCC supports this bill which balances accountability with local control in education.
x-icon HB 201: This bill allows same-sex couples to be listed on the birth certificate of adopted children. The TCC opposes this bill because it allows legal recognition of same sex parents.
check mark icon HB 222: This bill creates a grant program for students in unacceptable public schools to transfer to other public schools. The TCC supports this program to increase parental choice in education within the public school system.
check mark icon HB 290: This bill allows local districts to select criterion and norm-referenced student assessments. The TCC supports this bill because it allows greater local control of public education.
check mark icon HB 573: This bill expands free pre-kindergarten to four year olds if a school district has 15 or more students who are at least 4 years of age. The TCC supports this bill to provide access to early education for all.
 check mark icon HB 580: This bill allows the state to fund child care expenses for students at risk of dropping out of school. The TCC supports this bill because it provides access to childcare and education.
 check mark icon HB 675: This bill allows a municipality to regulate the location of signs advertising sexually oriented businesses. The TCC supports this bill to reduce advertising for sexuality oriented businesses.
check mark icon   HB 742: This bill creates a competitive grant program for summer programs designed for educationally disadvantaged students. The TCC supports this bill to provide better teacher preparation and educational support for students.
x-icon HB 775:  This bill allows single persons to enter into surrogacy contracts. The TCC opposes this bill because it both invitro fertilization and surrogacy are violations of human life and dignity.
check mark icon HB 1057 / SB 521: This bill prohibits abortion providers and their affiliates from providing sexuality education in public schools. It also requires parental consent for sexuality education. Although the TCC advocates for abstinence only education, we support this bill because it improves parental rights.
check mark icon HB 1122 / SB 681: This bill establishes a pilot program to establish a three year high school diploma for students who do not anticipate immediate enrollment into a 4 year college or university. Fiscal savings from the program will be used for prekindergarten programs. The TCC supports this voluntary pilot program to provide greater access to pre-k and flexibility for high school students who are ready to pursue work opportunities.
check mark icon HB 1175 / SB 115: This bill creates a school choice program to allow parents of students with disabilities to transfer their children to a public or private accredited school using a voucher. The TCC supports this bill to increase parental choice in education for students with disabilities.
check mark icon HB 1257: This bill requires that a registered a sex offender who uses a social networking site list in their profile that they are a sex offender and include a physical description of themselves. The TCC supports this bill provide disclosure and protection.
x-icon HB 1300: This bill authorizes same sex "marriages" and civil unions. The TCC opposes this bill because it undermines the Sacrament of Marriage and the stability of the family.
check mark icon HB 1433: This bill prevents school districts from discriminating against religious organizations when approving access to school campuses after school hours. The TCC supports this bill as an avenue to support religious after-school programming on school campuses.
check mark icon HB 1483: This bill creates the offense of commercial sexual exploitation of a child if a person knowingly advertises to solicit sexual activity with a child or visually depicts a child in the advertisement. The TCC supports this bill to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.
check mark icon HB 1784 / SB 860: This bill allows public junior colleges to provide career and technology programs for the purpose of drop out recovery. The TCC supports this bill to increase educational and career opportunities.
x-icon HB 2159 / HB 2160: This bill allows unmarried 15 year old teen mothers to consent to medical exams related to contraception. The TCC opposes this bill because it erodes parental rights.
x-icon HB 2161: This bill expands the age of eligibility for the Woman's Health Program to age 15 or older. The TCC opposes this bill which will grant access to state funded contraceptives to teenage girls.
check mark icon HB 2673: This bill puts in place additional regulations for state supported living centers and their contractors. The TCC supports this bill to improve services to persons with disabilities.
check mark icon HB 2985: This bill requires crisis marriage education for married couples seeking divorce when the couple has a child uner 18, in high school, who is an adult disabled child. The TCC supports this bill to prevent divorce and support the permanancy of marriage.
check mark icon HB 3241: This bill allows for the civil prosecution of racketeering related to human trafficking. The TCC supports this bill to further reduce human trafficking and punish traffickers.
check mark icon HB 3303: This bill extends waiting time for no-fault divorce from 2 months to 6 months. The TCC supports this bill in order to support the permanency of marriage.
check mark icon HB 3612: This bill requires couples with children who are seeking a divorce to complete a marriage education course prior to divorcing. The TCC supports this bill to reduce divorce and promote strong marriage.
check mark icon HB 3816: This bill creates a task force to study the referral and evaluation methods by which students are determined to be eligible for special education resources. The TCC supports this bill to improve access to special education.
 x-icon HJR 45: This proposed constitutional amendment prohibits the State of Texas or local governments from regulating private schools in Texas. The TCC opposes this bill which will undermine the accountability standards in place through the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission and recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
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SB 23 / SB 1410: This bill creates a school choice corporate tax credit that would enable businesses to contribute to non-profit scholarships for low income students to attend accredited private schools or for public school students to participate in after school care programs. The TCC supports this bill to increase parental choice in education.
check mark icon   SB 76: This bill increases access to prekindergarten classes in Texas by easing the requirements that must be in place before a district must offer prekindergarten classes. The TCC supports this bill which expands and improves the quality of pre-kindergarten programs in the state.
 check mark icon SB 115: This bill creates a school choice program to allow parents of students with disabilities to transfer their children to a public or private accredited school using a voucher. The TCC supports this bill to increase parental choice in education for students with disabilities.
x-icon SB 310: This bill weakens the focus on abstinence until marriage in sexuality education taught in public schools and requires contraceptive instruction. The TCC opposes this bill it would requires that public schools teach sexuality education that violates the natural moral law.
check mark icon SB 376: This bill requires school districts where more than 80% of the students qualify for free or reduced breakfast to provide free breakfast to each student during school hours. The TCC supports this bill which will address critical child hunger needs at our public schools.
x-icon SB 437: This bill prohibits universities from offering in-state tuition to undocumented students who completed high school in Texas. The TCC opposes this bill because it denies access to education for immigrants.
check mark icon SB 455: This bill expands eligibility for Medicaid for those qualified under the Affordable Care Act. The TCC supports this bill to provide needed health insurance coverage for the uninsured in Texas.
x-icon SB 480: This bill authorizes same sex civil unions. The TCC opposes this bill because it undermines the Sacrament of Marriage and the stability of the family.
check mark icon SB 493: This bill imposes a tax on sugary beverages. The TCC supports this bill to reduce obesity in Texas.
check mark icon SB 1015: This bill creates a school choice corporate tax credit that would enable businesses to contribute to non-profit scholarships for low income students to attend accredited private schools or for public school students to participate in after school care programs. The TCC supports this bill to increase parental choice in education.
x-icon SJR 29 / HJR 77 / HJR 78: This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to repeal the constitutional provision providing that marriage in this state consists only of the union of one man and one woman and prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage. The TCC opposes this bill because it undermines the Sacrament of Marriage and the stability of the family.

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Justice for Immigrants
Position Summary
x-icon HB 122: This bill denies access to scholarships, financial aid, or in-state tuition for undocumented students. The TCC opposes this bill because it denies access to education for immigrants.
x-icon HB 180: This bill denies access to scholarships, financial aid, or in-state tuition for undocumented students. The TCC opposes this bill because it denies access to education for immigrants.
x-icon HB 181: This bill prohibits a city from using public money to construct or operate a day labor center for the purpose of facilitating the knowing employment of any person who does not have legal work status. The TCC opposes this bill, which hurts the ability of workers to provide for themselves and their families. It is our position that immigration reform, including issues regarding labor and access to work, must be implemented through federal comprehensive immigration reform.
check mark icon HB 540: This bill prohibits local governments from regulating residential tenancies based on immigration status. The TCC supports this bill which protects immigrant access to housing and prevents local governments and landlords attempting to interpret complex federal immigration laws.
check mark icon HB 1292 / SB 357: This bill adds trafficking to the list of offenses qualifying victims for protective orders. The TCC supports this bill to better protect victims of human trafficking.
check mark icon HB 2187: This bill requires that before an arrested person is realeased on bond, the law enforcement agency uses the Secure Communities program to determine if there is an immigration detainer on the person and then authorizes the Immigration Customs and Enforceent agency to determine if the person can be granted bail. The TCC supports this bill which allows federal law enforcment to enforce immigration law.
x-icon HB 2639: This bill could weaken the in-state tuition rates for Texas residents. The TCC opposes this bill to because it inhibits access to affordable tuition rates.
check mark icon HB 2856: This bill puts in place standards for immigration assistance services. The TCC supports this bill to protect immigrants from unscrupulous organizations offering immigration services.
check mark icon HB 3206: This bill requires the Department of Public Safety to license all drivers in the state. The TCC supports this bill because it allows immigrants to obtain driver's licenses and car insurance.
check mark icon HB 3738 / SB 526: This bill prohibits local law enforcement from inquiring the nationality of victims or witnesses of crimes. The TCC supports this bill to encourage victims or witnesses to report crimes without fear of deportation.
check mark icon SB 527: This bill prohibits local law enforcement agencies from detaining immigrants who are witnesses or victims of crimes. The TCC supports this bill to protect immigrant witnesses and victims of crimes.


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The Poor and Vulnerable
Position Summary
check mark icon HB 32: This bill increases the penalties for human trafficking when victims are under the age of 17. The TCC supports this bill as incremental legislation to provide greater penalties for people who commit the offense of human trafficking.
check mark icon HB 89 / SB 93: This bill allows the Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force to continue through 2015. The TCC supports this bill as effort to prevent human trafficking.
check mark icon HB 90 / SB 94: This bill provides victims of compelled prostitution an opportunity to seek civil remedies from their trafficker or a publisher of an advertisement that led to their victimization. The TCC supports this bill to punish those human traffickers.
check mark icon HB 91 / SB 92: This bill creates a pre-adjudication diversion program for juveniles who are involved in prostitution. The TCC supports this bill to provide juveniles involved in prostitution with services and treatment.
x-icon HB 181: This bill prohibits a city from using public money to construct or operate a day labor center for the purpose of facilitating the knowing employment of any person who does not have legal work status. The TCC opposes this bill, which hurts the ability of workers to provide for themselves and their families. It is our position that immigration reform, including issues regarding labor and access to work, must be implemented through federal comprehensive immigration reform.
check mark icon HB 246: This bill prohibits a utility from raising water rates more than once in a 3 year period and prohibits rates from raising more than 20%. The TCC supports this bill to protect Texan's right to affordable water.
check mark icon HB 296: This bill requires school districts where more than 80% of the students qualify for free or reduced breakfast to provide free breakfast to each student during school hours. The TCC supports this bill which will address critical child hunger needs at our public schools.
check mark icon HB 420: This bill requires payday and auto title lenders to provide required disclosures in Spanish and English. The TCC supports this bill to better inform consumers seeking pay day or auto title loans.
check mark icon HB 432: This bill allows state employees to deduct donations to the anti-trafficking grant program as charitable deductions. The TCC supports this bill allow greater fundraising for anti-trafficking efforts.
check mark icon HB 587: This bill prevents the state from withdrawing SNAP benefits from eligible household members if one member because ineligible due to noncompliance with work requirements. The TCC supports this bill which provides protection for SNAP benefits for eligible Texans who are in compliance with program requirements.
check mark icon HB 675: This bill allows a municipality to regulate the location of signs advertising sexually oriented businesses. The TCC supports this bill to reduce advertising for sexuality oriented businesses.
check mark icon HB 749: This bill establishes a plan to increase participation in the summer nutrition program, particularly in rural areas. The TCC supports this bill to increase access to healthy meals for children.
check mark icon HB 786 / SB 1001: This bill limits Credit Service Organizations to payday and auto title loans as defined in the law. It gives more strength to the city ordinances, closing a loophole that arose to offer CSO loan products that don’t meet the definition of payday and auto title loans. The TCC supports this bill to put clear limits in the law for types of payday and auto title loans.
check mark icon HB 820: This bill adds knowingly or intentionally accessing with intent to view child pornography as a criminal offense. The TCC supports this bill to punish those who access child pornography.
check mark icon HB 1141: This bill would allow Texas to opt out of the federal ban on drug felons receiving food stamps. The TCC supports this bill as an effort to assist in reintegration into society and to combat malnutrition.
check mark icon HB 1147: This bill requires local counties to provide statistical data regarding human trafficking if requested by the trafficking task force. The TCC supports this bill to increase data and awareness about human trafficking.
check mark icon HB 1191: This bill requires electronic access to information about access to affordable housing for persons with mental illness. The TCC supports this bill to assist persons with mental illness in accessing affordable housing.
check mark icon HB 1201: This bill requires local schools that have a website to provide information on services for homeless students. The TCC supports this bill to provide important referral and service information to vulnurable students.
x-icon HB 1207: This bill repeals the requirement that contractors with the Texas Workforce Commission are paid the prevailing wage for their particular job. The TCC opposes this bill because it denies fair wages to skilled workers.
check mark icon HB 1272 / SB 811: This bill directs the Human Trafficking Prevention Task force to develop curriculum to train educational personnel, doctors, nurses, emergency medical service personnel, and counselors to identify victims of human trafficking. The TCC supports this bill to identify victims of human trafficking.
check mark icon HB 1292 / SB 357: This bill adds trafficking to the list of offenses qualifying victims for protective orders. The TCC supports this bill to better protect victims of human trafficking.
check mark icon HB 1483: This bill creates the offense of commercial sexual exploitation of a child if a person knowingly advertises to solicit sexual activity with a child or visually depicts a child in the advertisement. The TCC supports this bill to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.
x-icon HB 1715: This bill prohibits pay day lenders from rolling over a loan more than 4 times. While this appears like an improvement, there is nothing to prevent them from increasing the fees and the rollover definition is missing the 7 day time period that we have supported in the past. This TCC opposes this bill because it fails to address the cycle of debt for consumers.
check mark icon HB 1848 / SB 893: This bill adds trafficking to the act related to protective orders for sexual assult or abuse. The TCC supports this bill to protect victims of human trafficking.
check mark icon HB 1886: This bill adopts the same provisions as the city ordinances passed by Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and El Paso to protect consumers from the cycle of debt created by pay day and auto title lending. It also includes protections for Spanish speakers and members of the military. The TCC supports this bill to place reasonable regualtion on payday and auto title lending in Texas.
check mark icon HB 2019: This bill closes the loophole that allows payday and auto title lenders to evade state regulation of interest and fees for short-term loans. The TCC supports this bill to curb usurious lending practices and stop the cycle of debt for consumers.
check mark icon HB 2276: This bill requires informational material related to state support living centers to be provided to persons inquiring about residential services. The TCC supports this bill to provide information to assist persons with disabilities in securing appropriate housing and services.
check mark icon HB 2393: This bill directs the health and human services commission and the department of family and protective services to develop training for human trafficking prevention and victim identiffication. The TCC supports this bill to further identify and protect victims of human trafficking.
x-icon HB 2609: This bill prevents cities from adopting local payday and auto title lending regualtions. The TCC opposes this bill because it prevents local communities from taking action to regulate predatory lending.
check mark icon HB 2673: This bill puts in place additional regulations for state supported living centers and their contractors. The TCC supports this bill to improve services to persons with disabilities.
x-icon HB 2708: This bill imposes a tax on tap water. The TCC opposes this bill because water is a common good and basic right.
check mark icon HB 2725 / SB 1354: This bill requires the state to set minimum stanards for the regulation of shelters for victims of human trafficking. The TCC supports this bill to improve services for victims of human trafficking.
x-icon HB 2729 / SB 789: This bill creates a video lottery and sanctions legalized gambling. The TCC opposes this bill because legalized gambling is detrimental for the poor and vulnerable and the state should not profit from an addictive behavior.
x-icon HB 2908: This bill prohibits cities from adopting ordinances that regulate state license holders unless state law expressly permits cities to regulate state license holders. The TCC opposes this bill because it prevents local governments from responding to needs of the local community, including regualtion of payday and auto-title lending.
check mark icon HB 3033: This bill clarifies that the third party lenders backing payday and auto-title loans are subject to open records disclosure because the information is public information. The TCC supports this bill to increase the transparency of payday and auto-title lenders.
check mark icon HB 3082: This bill increases the minimum wage $7.75 or the federal standard if it is higher. The TCC supports this bill to assist low wage workers in increasing their wages.
check mark icon HB 3247: This bill adds steps to the informed consent process to prevent coerced abortions. The TCC supports this bill as a gradualistic approach to reducing abortions in Texas.
check mark icon HB 3264: This bill prohibits payday and auto-title lending businesses from making telemarketing calls. The TCC supports this effort to reduce predatory lending practices in Texas.
check mark icon HB 3377 / SB 484: This bill creates a prostitution prevention program. The TCC supports this bill to reduce demand for prostitution and human trafficking.
check mark icon HB 3407 / SB 1520: This bill directs the department to establish best practices to identify and assess victims of human trafficking. The TCC supports this bill to increase identification of victims of human trafficking.
check mark icon HB 3461: This bill requires payday and auto-title lenders to accept partial payments of loan principal with no additional fees or penalties. The TCC supports this bill to reduce the cycle of debt created by payday and auto-title loans.
x-icon HJR 47: This bill creates a gaminig commission and legalizes gambling in Texas. The TCC opposes this bill because it is harmful to the poor and vulnurable.
x-icon SB 21 / HB 1281: This bill requires drug testing for applicants for unemployment benefits. The TCC opposes this bill which will deny access to unemployment benefits for eligible persons.
check mark icon SB 167 / HB 493: This bill requires safety training for all employees, including subcontractors, performing construction work under contract with governmental entity. The TCC supports this bill to improve safety for workers.
check mark icon SB 193: This bill allows the chief appraiser to extend the deadline to file an exemption from ad valorem taxes for property used to provide low-income and moderate-income housing. The TCC supports this bill to increase access to low and moderate income housing options.
check mark icon SB 243 / HB 909 / HB 923: This bill increases the personal needs allowance for nursing home residents to $75 per month. The TCC supports this bill to improve the dignity of persons who are elderly or disabled and living in nursing homes.
check mark icon SB 340: This bill requires the Workforce Commission to assess penalty fees against an employer when they determine that the employer acted in bad faith by failing to pay wages. The TCC supports this bill to curb wage theft practices for workers.
check mark icon SB 357: This bill adds trafficking to the list of offenses qualifying victims for protective orders. The TCC supports this bill to better protect victims of human trafficking.
check mark icon SB 455: This bill expands eligibility for Medicaid for those qualified under the Affordable Care Act. The TCC supports this bill to provide needed health insurance coverage for the uninsured in Texas.
check mark icon SB 556 / HB 1120: This bill adds the reporting of activities related to human trafficking to the duties of the Texas Crime Stoppers Council. The TCC supports this bill to further identify victims of human trafficking and prosecute traffickers.
check mark icon SB 740 / HB 475: This bill requires contractors to pay workers' compensation insurance. The TCC supports this bill to protect workers.
check mark icon SB 741 / HB 494: This bill extends the time period for a worker to file a wage claim from 6 months to one year. The TCC supports this bill to protect workers from wage theft.
check mark icon SB 759 / HB 749: This bill establishes a plan to increase participation in the summer nutrition program, particularly in rural areas. The TCC supports this bill to increase access to healthy meals for children.
check mark icon SB 879 / HB 1072: This bill protects SNAP benefits for eligible family members if the head of household becomes ineligible those benefits for failure to comply with the work requirements. The TCC supports this bill because it protects SNAP benefits for eligible people.
check mark icon SB 924: This bill directs the state to develop a strategic plan for addressing food, nutrition, and obesity in this state. The TCC supports this bill to increase access to nutritious food, free and reduced lunch programs, and diabetes prevention.
check mark icon SB 998: This bill requires that payday lenders allow clients to make a partial payment anytime during business hours without penalties or fees. The TCC supports this bill to provide consumers with the opportunity to pay down their debt.
check mark icon SB 999: This bill prevents the state from preempting local ordinances for payday and auto-title lending ordinances. The TCC supports this bill to allow local governments to protect residents from predatory lending.
check mark icon SB 1135: This bill allows a school district receiving free or reduced lunch food to donate any remaining food to local non-profits. The TCC supports this bill to provide food to those in need.
check mark icon SB 1525: This bill requires disability awareness training in risk managment programs for student organizations at colleges and universities. The TCC supports this bill to increase awareness for disability issues.
check mark icon SB 1714: This bill prohibits consumers from being charged more than $25 insufficient funds fees when a payday or auto-title lender attempts to debit their bank account and there are not sufficient funds. The TCC supports this bill to reduce the fees involved when consumers are trapped in a cycle of debt created by payday and auto-title loans.
check mark icon SB 1715: This bill requires that payday and auto-title lenders disclose the third party lenders backing their loans and that this information is public information. The TCC supports this bill to bring greater transparency to payday and auto-title lending in Texas.
check mark icon SB 1743: This bill prohibits employer retaliation against employees who seek recovery of unpaid wages and procedures in wage claim hearings conducted by the Texas Workforce Commission. The TCC supports this bill to protect worker's rights and to prevent wage theft.

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Health and Human Services
Position Summary
x-icon HB 58: This bill allows the state to fund women's health services provided by organizations that perform and promote elective abortions or contract with entities that perform and promote elective abortions. The TCC opposes this bill because it allows public funding to abortion providers.
check mark icon HB 400 / SB 86: This bill establishes a statewide ban on smoking in the workplace. The TCC supports this bill to encourage healthy lifestyles and cancer prevention.
check mark icon HB 499: This bill raises income requirements for eligibility for CHIP to 300% of the federal poverty level and changes the asset test trigger level to 250% of the federal poverty level. It also raises the level income for those requiring a 6 month eligibility check to 285% of the federal poverty level. It also changes the removes the cost sharing for those with incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level. This bill allows a buy-in with cost sharing for CHIP for families who make greater than 300% of poverty. It has crowd-out provisions. The TCC supports this bill to provide greater access to healthcare for children.
check mark icon HB 593 / HB 999 / SB 880: This bill requires the department of state health services to expand Medicaid services to all persons for whom matching funds are available through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The TCC supports this bill to expand healthcare to the uninsured.
check mark icon HB 1001: This bill allows the expansion of Medicaid in counties with over 2.2 million people and more than 500 physicians (Dallas & Harris). The request to expand Medicaid will come from the county itself. The TCC supports this bill to provide healthcare to the uninsured.
x-icon HB 1464: This bill requires health care providers to provide medical treatment they view to be inappropriate indefinitely at the demand of a patient or surrogate. The TCC opposes this bill it imposes indefinite treatment on dying patients, and ignores the reasonable medical and ethical judgment of professionals. Requiring physicians and hospitals to continue to provide non-beneficial treatment that they rightly believe is unethical and inappropriate violates their freedom of conscience.
x-icon HB 1704: This bill requires hospitals to use a standard form to provide information regarding emergency contraception to sexual assault victims. The TCC opposes this bill as a violation of the conscience rights of providers.
x-icon HB 1889: This bill prohibits the withdrawal of artificially administered nutrition and hydration if a patient or surrogate has not expressly authorized the withdrawal in writing. The TCC opposes this bill because it prohibits the physican from using the ethics committee process to withdraw artifically administrerd nutrition and hydration that is threatening the patient's life, seriously exacerbating major medical condistions, resulting in irremedial physical pain not outweighed by the benefit of its use, or if it is medically ineffective in prolonging life.
check mark icon HB 1924: This bill puts in place procedures and technology to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicaid and CHIP programs. The TCC supports this bill to provide more accountability and efficiency for Medicaid and CHIP.
check mark icon HB 2124 / SB 651: This bill adds option for a notary to witness a signature for a medical power of attorney rather than requiring presence of two witnesses. The TCC supports this bill because it simplfies completing a medical power of attorney.
x-icon HB 2161: This bill expands the age of eligibility for the Woman's Health Program to age 15 or older. The TCC opposes this bill which will grant access to state funded contraceptives to teenage girls.
check mark icon HB 2276: This bill requires informational material related to state support living centers to be provided to persons inquiring about residential services. The TCC supports this bill to provide information to assist persons with disabilities in securing appropriate housing and services.
check mark icon HB 3405: This bill exempts shelters providing services for the Office of Refugee Resettlement from DFPS licensure. The TCC supports this bill because these shelters comply with federal accountability standards and DFPS licensure is redundant.
check mark icon HB 3656: This bill requires court authorization for elective medical procedures such as sterilization and growth attenuation for incapacitated persons with disabilities. The TCC supports this bill as a gradualistic step to ending forced sterilization and growth attenuation treatments for persons with disabilities.
check mark icon HB 3766: This bill requires the Health and Human Services Commission to make available The Texas Information and Referral Network available via the internet in order to inform persons about availalbe houseing and treatment options for persons with mental illness. The TCC supports this bill to increase access to housing and treatment for persons with mental illness.
check mark icon SB 36: This bill prohibits detaining in jails or similar facilities persons with mental illness during a disaster or emergency. The TCC supports this bill because it respects the dignity of persons with mental illness.
check mark icon SB 243 / HB 909 / HB 923:  This bill increases the personal needs allowance for nursing home residents to $75 per month. The TCC supports this bill to improve the dignity of persons who are elderly or disabled and living in nursing homes.
check mark icon SB 303 / HB 1444: This bill reforms the Texas Advanced Directive Act by protecting patients from premature withdrawal of food and water, increasing compassionate communication with families members, and protecting provider conscience. The TCC supports this bill because it is based on Catholic moral principles and reasonable medical standards for protecting patients, families, and physicians.
check mark icon SB 455: This bill expands eligibility for Medicaid for those qualified under the Affordable Care Act. The TCC supports this bill to provide needed health insurance coverage for the uninsured in Texas.
check mark icon SB 493: This bill imposes a tax on sugary beverages. The TCC supports this bill to reduce obesity in Texas.
x-icon SB 675 / HB 1539: This bill prohibits facilities and physicians from refusing to honor an advance directive or other treatment decision based on a value judgement that the person's life, age, or disability. Although it is morally wrong to make a treatment decision based on a judgement of the worth or value of one's life, age, or disability, the TCC opposes this bill because it lacks clarity and definitions.
check mark icon SB 880 / HB 593 / HB 999: This bill requires the department of state health services to expand Medicaid services to all persons for whom matching funds are available through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The TCC supports this bill to expand healthcare to the uninsured.
check mark icon SB 993: This bill creates the Texas Non-Profit Council to assist non-profits and faith based organizations to assist in coordinating services with the government. The TCC supports this bill to increase coordination in delivering services to people in need.
check mark icon SJR 8: This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would requires the state to provide medical assistance under the federal Medicaid program to all persons who apply for that assistance and for whom federal matching funds are available under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The TCC supports this constitutional amendment to increase access to healthcare for the uninsured.

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Criminal Justice
Position Summary
check mark icon HB 144: This bill allows children in the juvenile justice system to be evaluated for chemical dependency, and if they do suffer from chemical dependency, the child is referred to an authorized agency or provider for services. The TCC supports access to treatment for mental illness and chemical dependency and supports this bill as a juvenile justice reform measure.
check mark icon HB 164 / HB 1703: This bill prohibits the state from sentencing an individual judged guilty of committing a capital felony to death. The TCC supports this bill because Texas now has the ability to effectively suppress crime by rendering criminals harmless without denying them their lives or the opportunity for reform and therefore has no justifiable reason for giving anyone a death sentence.
check mark icon HB 166: This bill creates the Texas Innocence Commission to investigate and prevent wrongful convictions. The TCC supports this bill to improve our criminal justice system.
check mark icon HB 512: This bill changes the requirements for release on medically recommended intensive supervision to include persons with disabilities or with a terminal illness, and those with mental, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. The TCC supports this bill which allows for compassion and care for the sick.
x-icon HB 924: This bill requires life imprisonment for minors convicted of a capitol felony. The TCC opposes this bill because mandatory sentencing fails to take into account the specific circumstances of an individual or the possibility of rehabilitation.
check mark icon HB 1141: This bill would allow Texas to opt out of the federal ban on drug felons receiving food stamps. The TCC supports this bill as an effort to assist in reintegration into society and to combat malnutrition.
x-icon HB 1845 / HB 3134: This bill allows the death penalty for the murder of another person in retaliation for or on account of the service or status of the other person as a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county attorney performing the duties of a district attorney. The TCC opposes this bill as an expansion of the use of the death penalty.
check mark icon HB 2614 / SB 1270: This bill allows a defendant to demonstrate through a proponderance of evidence that race was a significant factor in the imposition of a death sentence. If the defendent proves that race was a significant factor in a death sentence, this bill directs the court to change the sentence to life without parole. The TCC supports this bill to end discrimination in death penalty sentencing.
check mark icon HB 2652: This bill directs the department of criminal justice to provide inmates with county specific referral and resource information to assist them in reentry and reintegration after parole. The TCC supports this bill to assist ex-offenders in returning to the community.
check mark icon HB 3377 / SB 484: This bill creates a prostitution prevention program. The TCC supports this bill to reduce demand for prostitution and human trafficking.
check mark icon HB 3407 / SB 1520: This bill directs the department to establish best practices to identify and assess victims of human trafficking. The TCC supports this bill to increase identification of victims of human trafficking.
check mark icon HJR 80: This proposed constitutional amendment would allow the governor to prohibit the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from performing executions. The TCC supports this bill to end the use of the death penalty in Texas.
check mark icon SB 89: This bill creates the Texas Innocence Commission to investigate and prevent wrongful convictions. The TCC supports this bill to improve our criminal justice system.
x-icon SB 187 / HB 901: This bill requires life imprisonment for minors convicted of a capitol felony. The TCC opposes this bill because mandatory sentencing fails to take into account the specific circumstances of an individual or the possibility of rehabilitation.
check mark icon SB 1185: This bill authorizes the funding of a pilot program in Harris county to reduce recidivism for persons with mentally illness. The TCC supports this bill which creates an integrated program to meet the needs of persons with mental illness.

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Religious Liberties

x-icon		 HJR 43: This bill prohibits a court from considering religious laws. The TCC opposes this bill because it prohibits courts from taking into consideration our religious values and could have serious implications for first amendment issues and freedom of conscience.

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© 2012 Texas Catholic Conference
Phone: (512) 339-9882   •   Fax: (512) 339-8670 		 Physical Address: 1600 North Congress Avenue, Suite B, Austin TX 78701
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13285, Austin, TX 78711
The Texas Catholic Conference is the association of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Texas. We accredit the state's Catholic Schools, maintain records that reflect the work of the Church in Texas, and represent the Bishops in the public policy sphere.
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