HB 1492
bill barring local limits on visits to dying family
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the authority of a political subdivision to deny or limit access to dying members of an individual's family.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Disaster orders included.
The bill bars cities, counties and other local governments from adopting or enforcing any order, ordinance or other measure that blocks or limits the time a person can spend with a dying family member. The ban expressly includes measures issued under the state disaster law, so it reaches emergency orders like pandemic lockdowns. It touches local officials and families, and it takes effect immediately with a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Dec 3, 2024 and referred to the House Public Health committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB1492 · 2024-12-03
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the authority of a political subdivision to deny or limit access to dying members of an individual's family.
WHAT IT DOES
Disaster orders included.
The bill bars cities, counties and other local governments from adopting or enforcing any order, ordinance or other measure that blocks or limits the time a person can spend with a dying family member. The ban expressly includes measures issued under the state disaster law, so it reaches emergency orders like pandemic lockdowns. It touches local officials and families, and it takes effect immediately with a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Public Health
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Derived from itemized gifts, Oct 27, 2024 to Jun 30, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
$113,206 raised in 4 of 4 reports since Oct 27, 2024. Derived sum of published report totals. Flow, Oct 27, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026. 4 of 4 filed reports carry a published figure. Partial total. Regular reports do not cover Jul 9, 2025 to Aug 15, 2025, Aug 15, 2025 to Sep 4, 2025.
$220,212 spent since Oct 27, 2024. Derived sum of published report totals. Flow, Oct 27, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026. 4 of 4 filed reports carry a published figure.
$54,238 cash on hand. Published report total. Stock, as of Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.
$0 loans outstanding. Published report total. Stock, as of Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived sum of itemized contributions in regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Unitemized contributions are not included. Flow, Oct 27, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.
MoneyMissing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Dec 3, 2024
03/11/2025 H Referred to Public Health: Mar 11 2025 3:26PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Public Health · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Disaster Preparedness & Relief
Health--Other Diseases & Medical Conditions
Political Subdivisions
Text
The text as introduced · 165 words
89R5887 MZM-D By: Schatzline H.B. No. 1492 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the authority of a political subdivision to deny or limit access to dying members of an individual's family. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 370, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 370.010 to read as follows: Sec. 370.010. AUTHORITY TO DENY OR LIMIT ACCESS TO CERTAIN DYING INDIVIDUALS. A political subdivision may not adopt or enforce an order, ordinance, or other measure, including under Chapter 418, Government Code, that prohibits or limits the amount of time of an individual's access to an imminently dying member of the individual's family. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.