Monitoring the Session

HB 4535

bill requiring written consent before a COVID-19 shot

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. John McQueeneyRHouse 97

Initial review · graded Oct 22, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to COVID-19 vaccine administration requirements.

Caption from analyzed text · version E.

Summary

From the patient, or a parent or guardian for minors.

The bill requires anyone licensed to give vaccines in Texas to get written informed consent before giving a COVID-19 shot, from the patient or from a parent, guardian, or conservator when the patient is a minor or cannot consent. The state health department must write a standard information sheet covering the shot's benefits and risks, how fast it was developed, whether long-term studies exist, whether makers can be sued for injuries, and how to report injuries to the federal reporting system. Providers who skip the consent or the sheet can be disciplined by their licensing board starting September 1, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB4535 · 2025-03-12

SOLD BY

+ 2 more authors, 46 coauthors

ITEM

relating to COVID-19 vaccine administration requirements.

WHAT IT DOES

From the patient, or a parent or guardian for minors.

The bill requires anyone licensed to give vaccines in Texas to get written informed consent before giving a COVID-19 shot, from the patient or from a parent, guardian, or conservator when the patient is a minor or cannot consent. The state health department must write a standard information sheet covering the shot's benefits and risks, how fast it was developed, whether long-term studies exist, whether makers can be sued for injuries, and how to report injuries to the federal reporting system. Providers who skip the consent or the sheet can be disciplined by their licensing board starting September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 19, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Public Health
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in formal meeting
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  10. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  11. Committee report distributed
  12. Committee report sent to Calendars
  13. Considered in Calendars
  14. Placed on General State Calendar
  15. Read 2nd time
  16. Postponed 5/14/25 7:55AM
  17. Laid out as postponed business
  18. Amendment fails of adoption 1-Goodwin
  19. Record vote RV#2488
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  21. Amended 2-Howard
  22. Amendment withdrawn 3-Wu
  23. Passed to engrossment as amended
  24. Record vote RV#2489
  25. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  26. Read 3rd time
  27. Passed
  28. Record vote RV#2611
  29. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  30. Reported engrossed
  31. Received from the House
  32. Read first time
  33. Referred to Health & Human Services
  34. Posting rule suspended
  35. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  36. Considered in public hearing
  37. Testimony taken in committee
  38. Left pending in committee
  39. Considered in public hearing
  40. Vote taken in committee
  41. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  42. Committee report printed and distributed
  43. Co-sponsor authorized
  44. Placed on intent calendar
  45. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  46. Record vote
  47. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  48. Record vote
  49. Three day rule suspended
  50. Record vote
  51. Read 3rd time
  52. Passed
  53. Record vote
  54. Senate passage reported
  55. Reported enrolled
  56. Signed in the House
  57. Signed in the Senate
  58. Sent to the Governor
  59. Signed by the Governor
  60. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 92 yea · 45 nay

Senate · 23 yea · 8 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 15, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 25, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Donors

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$330,900.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$330,900.00

Cash
$250,000.00
Paid by others
$80,900.00
Total
$330,900.00
canvassing $75,000.00polling $5,900.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 8, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101070592, 101073198.

Texas Sands PAC$214,000.00

Texas Sands PAC

$214,000.00

Cash
$214,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$214,000.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 22, 2025 to Oct 7, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101029510, 101059372, 101073198.

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$157,954.79

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$157,954.79

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$157,954.79
Total
$157,954.79
mailers $129,351.79polling $10,800.00Other filed descriptions $10,303.00digital $7,500.00

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jul 27, 2026 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101070592, 101073198.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$330,900.00

Cash
$250,000.00
Paid by others
$80,900.00
Total
$330,900.00
canvassing $75,000.00polling $5,900.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 8, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101070592, 101073198.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$214,000.00

Cash
$214,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$214,000.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 22, 2025 to Oct 7, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101029510, 101059372, 101073198.

×

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$157,954.79

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$157,954.79
Total
$157,954.79
mailers $129,351.79polling $10,800.00Other filed descriptions $10,303.00digital $7,500.00

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jul 27, 2026 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101070592, 101073198.

Votes7

Senate May 25, 2025

Yea
23
Nay
8
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 8.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 23 (published)
  • Nay: 8 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 25, 2025

Yea
25
Nay
6
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Hancock moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 4535 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 25 (published)
  • Nay: 6 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 25, 2025

Yea
23
Nay
8
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 8. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 23 (published)
  • Nay: 8 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 25, 2025

Yea
23
Nay
8
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Hancock moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 4535 at this time on its second reading: HB 4535, Relating to COVID-19 vaccine administration requirements. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 8.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 23 (published)
  • Nay: 8 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 15, 2025

Yea
92
Nay
45
Present, not voting
3
Absent
5
Excused
5
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2611

HB 4535 was passed by (Record 2611): 92 Yeas, 45 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 92 (published)
  • Nay: 45 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 14, 2025

Yea
86
Nay
50
Present, not voting
3
Absent
5
Excused
6
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2489

HB 4535, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 2489): 86 Yeas, 50 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 86 (published)
  • Nay: 50 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 14, 2025

Yea
59
Nay
78
Present, not voting
2
Absent
8
Excused
3
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2488

Amendment No. 1 failed of adoption by (Record 2488): 59 Yeas, 78 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 59 (published)
  • Nay: 78 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 8 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses29
For
12
Against
15
On
2
Names

For

  • Family Freedom Project1 registration
  • Make Texans Healthy Again1 registration
  • Self5 registrations
  • Self; Texans for Medical Freedom1 registration
  • Self; Texans for medical freedom1 registration
  • Self; TEXANS FOR VACCINE CHOICE1 registration
  • Self; Texans for Vaccine Choice1 registration
  • Self; Texas Eagle Forum1 registration

Against

  • BIO (Biotechnology Innovation Organization)1 registration
  • March. Of Dimes1 registration
  • Self7 registrations
  • Self; Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society1 registration
  • Self; Texas Pediatric Society, Texas Medical Association1 registration
  • Texas Chapter American College of Physicians1 registration
  • Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute1 registration
  • Texas Nurses Association1 registration
  • The immunization Partnership1 registration

On

  • Department of State Health Services2 registrations
Sources

29 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 19, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version E by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 12, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Sponsors
Cosponsors

House committee · Public Health · Committee vote 8 aye, 5 nay · Out of committee

Senate committee · Health & Human Services · Committee vote 7 aye, 1 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

Health Care Providers

Health--Other Diseases & Medical Conditions

Occupational Regulation--Health Occupations

COVID-19 (SB9YM)

IMMUNIZATIONS

INFORMED CONSENT

STATE HEALTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Text

The text as introduced · 311 words

89R15207 JG-D

By: McQueeney
H.B. No. 4535

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to COVID-19 vaccine administration requirements.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 161, Health and Safety

Code, is amended by adding Section 161.0086 to read as follows:

Sec. 161.0086. COVID-19 VACCINATION ADMINISTRATION

REQUIREMENTS. (a) In this section:

(1) "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus

disease.

(2) "Health care provider" means an individual

licensed or otherwise authorized by this state to administer

vaccines.

(b) Before administering a COVID-19 vaccination to an

individual, a health care provider must obtain the individual's

written informed consent, or if the individual is a minor or lacks

the mental capacity to provide informed consent, the parent,

guardian, or conservator who may provide written informed consent

on the individual's behalf. The informed consent required under

this section must include an acknowledgment that the individual

providing informed consent received the information sheet

described by Subsection (c).

(c) The department shall develop a standardized information

sheet that includes information on:

(1) the risks associated with COVID-19 vaccination,

including potential side effects;

(2) the expedited manner in which the COVID-19 vaccine

was developed;

(3) whether long-term scientific studies have been

performed on the COVID-19 vaccine;

(4) whether manufacturers of the COVID-19 vaccine are

subject to civil liability for any injuries caused by the vaccine;

and

(5) the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting

System, including clear instructions for reporting any

vaccine-related injury or reaction.

(d) The appropriate licensing authority may impose

disciplinary action on a health care provider who administers a

COVID-19 vaccination in violation of this section in the same

manner and using the same procedures as the authority uses to impose

disciplinary action on a provider who violates the authority's

licensing or other regulatory laws or rules.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.