Eight of Senator Nelson's Bills Pass Local

The Texas Senate  approved eight bills authored by Senator Nelson.  The following bills, which next move to  the Texas House of Representatives for further consideration, were  approved:

• SB 73 relating to leave policy and procedures for state employees;
• SB 74 relating to the provision of certain behavioral services to  children, adolescents, and the families under a contract with a managed  care organization;
• SB 77 relating to the involuntary termination of parental rights  based on sexual assault of the child's other parent and the child  support obligation of the parent whose rights were terminated;
• SR 79 relating to the production of public information available on a publicly accessible website;
• SB 80 relating to certain reports prepared by state agencies and other governmental entities;
• SB 532 relating to information collected about and purchases of information technology by governmental entities;
• SB 854 relating to the purchase of food and beverages by the Texas Department of Emergency Management for certain persons; and
• SB 1024 relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on emergency management or airport security vehicles.

Senator Nelson filed SB 73 in response to reports about the misuse of  emergency leave policies at our state agencies. "Our employees are able  to take time away from work in times of crisis, but there have been  troubling reports about how leave policies are being used.  This  legislation will ensure that emergency leave is reserved for true  emergencies," she said.

SB 74 streamlines credentialing for mental health providers in order to  improve access to behavioral health services for individuals with acute  mental health needs.  "This legislation will go a long way to increase  access to providers who specialize in treating children with acute  mental health needs," Senator Nelson said.

SB 77 responds to a case in Flower Mound in which a woman brutally raped  by her husband was unable to have her attacker's parental rights  terminated because rape of the other parent is not grounds for  termination under state law.  SB 77 adds this offense to the list.  "No  parent should have to co-parent with their rapist, and I am proud of the  Senate for passing this legislation unanimously to better protect  victims of this horrible crime."