Texas legislators are considering sharpening religious protections for faith-based groups the state hires to place children in foster homes. Critics say that could give religious groups license to discriminate.
Marissa Evans
Marissa Evans reported on health and human services policy for the Tribune from 2016 to 2019. Before the Tribune she reported for CQ Roll Call in D.C., where she covered state legislatures and health care issues. Her reporting has appeared in Civil Eats, NBC BLK, Cosmo for Latinas, Kaiser Health News, The Seattle Times, The Washington Post, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Star Tribune and Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. She is a 2013 alumna of Marquette University in Milwaukee.
Posted inState Government
Texas Senate passes two anti-abortion bills
Texas senators advanced two anti-abortion bills, one that would prevent parents from suing doctors if their baby is born with a birth defect and another that would require doctors to make sure a fetus is deceased before performing a certain type of abortion.
Posted in
Health care
Child welfare workers fear legislative push to outsource their jobs
Former and current caseworkers say a plan to move case management services to nonprofits could be problematic and that no one in power is listening to their concerns.
Posted in
Politics
Judge to rule next month on dismissing some charges against Rep. Dawnna Dukes
Citing the statute of limitations, the Austin Democrat seeks to have four of 13 felony counts against her dismissed.
Posted in
Health care
Proposed federal health plan brings uncertainty in Texas
After Republicans in Congress unveiled their long-awaited plan to repeal the 2010 health law on Monday, the potential impacts of the proposed bill in Texas are unclear.
Posted in
Health care
Breastfeeding protections get a hearing before House lawmakers
Bills lawmakers considered Monday would let nursing moms breastfeed virtually anywhere they choose and establish workplace protections for them so they don’t have to pump or nurse in the bathroom.
Posted inState Government
Texas House, Senate unanimously pass measures overhauling child welfare system
After months of calls from advocates to take drastic measures, both chambers unanimously passed bills on Wednesday that would change how the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services cares for vulnerable children.
Posted in
State Government
Rise in Texas maternal deaths absent from legislative agenda
Texas’ maternal deaths have been sparingly mentioned during the legislative session, overshadowed by issues such as child welfare, the so-called “bathroom bill” and sanctuary cities.
Posted in
Health care
“Wrongful births” bill heads to Texas Senate floor
Abortion opponents say the bill protects children living with disabilities and prevents doctors from potentially encouraging abortions to avoid lawsuits.
Posted in
Health care
Child welfare bill heads to Senate floor
Senate Health and Human Services Committee members voted unanimously Wednesday morning to send a bill aimed at overhauling the state’s child welfare system to the full Senate for a vote.