Special Needs Parenting :: HB 1188, The Caytlin Handley Act
On May 29th, 2025 (89th Legislative Session), Governor Abbott signed HB 1188, The Caytlin Handley Act into law.
HB 1188 now requires schools to provide parents and guardians with information about Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDAs) and public benefits including Medicaid Waiver Programs when a child is diagnosed with an intellectual disability or developmental delay and qualifies for Special Education services.
Here is the link to the page with information about the Caytlin Handley Act, including a link to access the resource document.
https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/resource-library/connecting-community-supports
Here is the link to just the PDF resource document:
https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/2025-08/connecting-to-community-supports-2025.pdf
Below are videos and articles surrounding HB 1188:
Caytlin's Testimony at the Texas House Committee on Public Education Hearing: https://youtu.be/U2DE_pWWUZ4
Representative Dutton's Motions: https://youtu.be/51ConJcKZMU
Handley Family's Texas House testimony: https://youtu.be/WQG1FN0pEi0https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15HRndDpQF/
House Floor Vote: https://youtu.be/gZxZPW6JhJs
Fox 26 Houston segment on HB 1188: https://youtu.be/dwIfmSQ8-9Q
Renaming HB 1188 "The Caytlin Handley Act": https://youtu.be/76t5hqblbbU
The Handley Family Testifying Before the Senate Committee on Education K-16: https://youtu.be/kyePERp82aY
Senate Floor Vote: https://youtu.be/zHL4I5ixo-M
Interview with Carey, Caytlin, and Boyd Handley on Fox 26 Houston: https://youtu.be/ascIDAHiTas
Community Impact Article: https://communityimpact.com/houston/sugar-land-missouri-city/education/2025/05/19/family-seeks-earlier-referrals-to-local-health-authorities-through-the-caytlin-handley-act/
Covering Katy Article: https://coveringkaty.com/news/state-and-national/fulshear-family-s-fight-leads-to-statewide-change-texas-scho/
Proclamation by Fulshear Mayor Don McCoy: https://youtu.be/zvjuw4YRt1M