Texas Catholic Voice: May 24

The 87th Texas Legislature closes "sine die" May 31. It's been a historic session, what with the pandemic and the severe February winter storm, not to mention all that's been happening inside the Capitol!

Thank you for all your efforts in contacting your legislators this year. Those emails, phone calls and other outreach have made a difference! We're not asking for any of that outreach this week, but please do continue to pray for all who serve us in the Texas government. May the Spirit of Pentecost breathe on all of us in this last week!

Updates on key legislation

This week we hope the Senate hears bills giving inmates who were sentenced as juveniles a "second look" (HB 686) and giving new mothers extended medical assistance coverage (HB 133).  We hope a bill providing extended health care eligibility for babies from age six months to 12 months (HB 290) will be placed on the Senate Calendar by Wednesday.

We are very happy the Human Life Protection Act, HB 1280, passed to third reading in the Senate on Monday, and that the bill supporting homeschooled children's participation in UIL activities (HB 547), has passed.

In the House, last calendar has been set. We  are extremely disappointed SB 394, the Chemical Abortion Safety Protocol, did not make it onto the calendar. We are hopeful this critical issue can be addressed later this year. We will continue to watch carefully the House for any harmful amendments that would impact payday lending ordinances.

We are grateful the House passed SJR 19/SB25, which will propose a constitutional amendment to establish a right for residents of certain facilities to designate essential caregivers for in-person visitation.

In other good news:

• SB 30 would allow an owner of real property or an interest in it to request the county clerk to remove discriminatory restrictions recorded in property records. It has had a third reading in the House.
• SB 224, which requires a simplified certification and recertification requirements for certain persons under the SNAP program, is moving forward.