Austin, Texas —
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:
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House Bill 4 by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione
-
House Bill 12 by Rep. Toni Rose
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House Bill 18 by Rep. Shelby Slawson
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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.
