Last chance this session to save these bills!
Please ask the Senate Committee on Education to either have a hearing on these bills and support the bills, or vote them out of the Committee.
Make calls or send emails now through this weekend!
HB 166 by Rep. Dr. M. González (Educational Representative for Students with Disabilities) – This bill will provide students who are 18 or older with disabilities with the rights to make educational decisions. This bill will also mandate school districts to contact the parents and the students at least a year in advance before they turn 18 about the new rights, information and resources about guardianship and alternatives. It will also allow the appointment of an educational representative and any other support that the student may need.
Read more about the bill here.
HB 2234 by Rep. S. Thompson (Use of Video Cameras in Classrooms) – This bill is regarding policies and procedures for the placement and use of video cameras in certain classrooms, including classrooms that provide special education services. This bill adds language about accessing and releasing the video to the parents for viewing, or having school provide written notification regarding non-release of the video.
Read more about the bill here.
HB 3867 by Rep. Bucy (Requirements of Behavior Management and the use of Restraint) – This bill will mandate school districts to adopt procedures for the use of restraint and time-out. The procedures must be consistent with professionally accepted practices, health and safety standards, and identify disciplinary practices that require school professionals to be trained. The bill will also require school districts to provide written details about the restraint to parents.
Read more about the bill here.
Specific Action Needed: Ask members of the Senate Committee on Education to either have a hearing on these bills and support the bills, or vote them out of the Committee. If you’ve been personally impacted by any of these issues below, please let them know how this affected your family or your loved one with Autism.
Who to Call/Email: Please call or email the Senate Committee on Education. Contact the members of the Senate Committee on Education and the Clerk (Abby Johnson) using the instructions above! It is important to note that our priority contacts are the Chair, Vice-Chair, and the Clerk:
| SENATE – Education | ||||
| First Name | Last Name | Chair | Phone Number (Capitol) | Email address |
| Brandon | Creighton | Vice-Chair | 512-463-0104 | brandon.creighton@senate.texas.gov |
| Abby | Johnston | Clerk | (512) 463-0355 | abby.johnston_SC@senate.texas.gov |
| Donna | Campbell | 512-463-0125 | donna.campbell@senate.texas.gov | |
| Paul | Bettencourt | 512-463-0107 | Paul.Bettencourt@senate.texas.gov | |
| Brian | Birdwell | 512-463-0122 | Brian.Birdwell@senate.texas.gov | |
| Pete | Flores | 512-463-0124 | pete.flores@senate.texas.gov | |
| Phil | King | 512-463-0110 | phil.king@senate.texas.gov | |
| Morgan | LaMantia | 512-463-0127 | morgan.lamantia@senate.texas.gov | |
| Jose | Menendez | 512-463-0126 | jose.menendez@senate.texas.gov | |
| Mays | Middleton | 512-463-0111 | mayes.middleton@senate.texas.gov | |
| Tan | Parker | 512-463-0112 | tan.parker@senate.texas.gov | |
| Angela | Paxton | 512-463-0108 | angela.paxton@senate.texas.gov | |
| Drew | Springer | 512-463-0130 | Drew.Springer@senate.texas.gov | |
| Royce | West | 512-463-0123 | royce.west@senate.texas.gov | |
Email – If you’d like to email the Senate Committee on Education, please copy and paste the text below & feel free to add your own story or experience.
————
Dear Members of the Senate Committee on Education,
Autism issues are important to me and my family, therefore, I ask that you either have a hearing on these bills and support the bills, or vote them out of the Committee.
HB 166 – Educational Representative for Students with Disabilities
HB 2234 – Cameras in the Classroom: Improves parent access to video footage
HB 3867 – Requirements of Behavior Management and the use of Restraint
Thank You,
Your Name_______
For more information you can contact the Autism Society of Texas at advocacy@texasautismsociety.org or 512-479-4199, Ext. 4
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Thank you! If you complete the alert, please let us know by contacting advocacy@texasautismsociety.org or calling us at 512-479-4199, ext. 4.\
Ask the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services to have a hearing and support the bills or vote them out of Committee! Please call and email throughout the weekend!
HB 211 by Rep. González (Inclusive Child Care) – This bill promotes inclusive practices in a child-care facility or registered family home so that children with special needs are integrated into the general activities of the facility or home.
Read more about this bill here.
HB 4506 by Rep. Cortez (Autism Insurance Equity) – This bill updates the Autism insurance mandate to remove a required diagnosis before the age 10, and removes the $36,000 cap on therapy benefits to align with Federal Mental Health Parity regulation and Texas Mental Health Parity laws.
Read more about this bill here.
HB 140 by Rep. González (Co-Navigation services for individuals who are deaf-blind) – This bill will provide individuals who are deaf-blind with trained specialists (co-navigators) that will assist them in physically assessing their environment and making informed decisions.
Read more about this bill here.
HB 4702 by Rep. Campos (Peer Support for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities) – This bill will provide individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities with peer services and for those under Medicaid.
Read more about this bill here.
Specific Action Needed: Ask the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services to support the following bills & either have a hearing or vote “for” them. If you’ve been personally impacted by any of these issues below, please let them know how this affected your family or your loved one with Autism.
Who to Call/Email: Please call or email the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. Contact the members of the Senate Committee on Education and the Clerk (Kimberly Robertsonl) using the instructions above! It is important to note that our priority contacts are the Chair, Vice-Chair, and the Clerk:
| First Name | Last Name | Phone Number (Capitol) | Email Address | |
| Lois | Kolkhorst | Chair | (512) 463-0118 | Lois.Kolkhorst@senate.texas.gov |
| Charles | Perry | Vice-Chair | (512) 463-0128 | charles.perry@senate.texas.gov |
| Kimberly | Robertson | Clerk | (512) 463-0360 | kimberly.robertson_sc@senate.texas.gov |
| Cesar | Blanco | (512) 463-0129 | Cesar.Blanco@senate.texas.gov | |
| Kelly | Hancock | (512) 463-0109 | kelly.hancock@senate.texas.gov | |
| Bob | Hall | (512) 463-0102 | bob.hall@senate.texas.gov | |
| Bryan | Hughes | (512) 463-0101 | bryan.hughes@senate.texas.gov | |
| Borris | Miles | (512) 463-0113 | borris.miles@senate.texas.gov | |
| Kevin | Sparks | (512) 463-0131 | kevin.sparks@senate.texas.gov | |
| Dan | LaMantia | (512) 463-0127 | morgan.lamantia@senate.texas.gov |
Email – If you’d like to email the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, please copy and paste the text below & feel free to add your own story or experience.
————
Dear Members of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services,
Autism issues are important to my family, therefore, I ask that you support the following bills and please have a hearing and support them or vote them out of Committee:
HB 211 – Inclusive Child Care
HB 4506 – Autism Insurance Equity
HB 140 – Co-Navigation services for individuals who are deaf-blind
HB 4702 – Peer Support for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities
Thank You,
Your Name_______
For more information you can contact the Autism Society of Texas at advocacy@texasautismsociety.org or 512-479-4199, Ext. 4
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Thank you! If you complete the alert, please let us know by contacting advocacy@texasautismsociety.org or calling us at 512-479-4199, ext. 4.