From the Speaker’s Office: Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan announced today several key legislative priorities for the chamber that focus on improving the privacy and security of all Texans as well as better supporting mothers and children in the state.
The following bills, which are part of the Texas House’s broader legislative priority package for the 88th Texas Legislature, have been recently filed by their respective bill authors and are based on Speaker Phelan’s extensive conversations with members over what issues the chamber should address during the session:
• House Bill 4 by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione
• House Bill 12 by Rep. Toni Rose
• House Bill 18 by Rep. Shelby Slawson
• House Bill 300 by Rep. Donna Howard
House Bill 4 by Representative Capriglione, also known as the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, would grant Texans new online rights, including the ability to crack down on how companies collect, and in instances profit from, their personal data.
House Bill 12 by Representative Rose would extend Medicaid eligibility to new mothers in Texas to a year after the delivery of their child, significantly increasing the length of time moms can access critical postpartum health coverage.
House Bill 18 by Representative Slawson, also known as the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, would equip Texas parents with tools to keep their children safe online, including the ability to put a stop to addictive algorithms and prevent companies from collecting private information.
House Bill 300 by Representative Howard would exempt, among other essential baby items, diapers and wipes, along with feminine hygiene products from the state’s sales tax, helping to make those items for mothers and families in the state more affordable.
“I am so proud of the hard work that members of the Texas House have already put into these four legislative proposals, which reflect some of the most pressing issues on the minds of Texans today,” Speaker Phelan said. “These bills are great starting points for our chamber as we work to get them over the finish line this legislative session, and I thank Representatives Capriglione, Rose, Slawson and Howard for their leadership.”
“As I have said before, it is essential that the Texas House makes meaningful progress this year on better supporting mothers and children in the state — and that starts with extending health coverage for new moms to a full year,” Speaker Phelan added. “Additionally, I am eager to see our chamber take on Big Tech, which for too long has taken advantage of the data and privacy of Texans and especially our children, who are vulnerable to predatory and addicting algorithms and advertisements on social media platforms. Putting Texans and Texas parents back in the driver’s seat on this issue is a priority for our chamber this session.”
Additional legislative priorities of the Texas House will be announced in the coming days.