East Dallas Times

By State Rep. Kenneth Sheets, HD-107

[Editor’s note: East Dallas Times published regular updates from the Texas House of Representatives during Allen Vaught’s tenure as District 107 representative. The same forum was offered to freshman Rep. Kenneth Sheets, who graciously accepted.]

While so much has happened during this 82nd Legislative Session, I wanted to share some noteworthy legislation that didn’t make the headlines.

Henda’s Law
I am pleased to say we voted to pass House Bill 2102, known as Henda’s Law. I am honored to have worked with Rep. Ana Hernandez Luna to pass this bi-partisan priority that was initiated by my predecessor, Allen Vaught, after Lakewood resident Henda Salmeron, a constituent of District 107, approached him with the issue.

HB 2102 will require mammography facilities to provide a patient with a standardized notification upon the discovery of dense breast tissue. By providing patients with this information it allows individuals to take a proactive approach to cancer detection as well as overall breast health and wellness. As many studies show, early detection is key when it comes to cancer treatment and survival.

Banning “Bath Salts”
Early in the session I filed House Bill 1548 to ban two relatively new synthetic cocaine-like substances — methylenedioxypyrovalerone, MDPV, and mephedrone more commonly known as “bath salts” — bearing product names such as Cloud Nine, Ivory Wave, or Blue Silt.

Not to be confused with typical bath products, these substances can cause severe side effects, including paranoia, hallucinations, agitation, hypertension, and can even cause the user to become psychotic. Currently, the substances can be purchased over the counter at certain specialty stores and readily accessible to our youth.

Several other members filed similar bills resulting in the final product of House Bill 2118 by Reps. Coleman, King, Giddings, and me that included various chemical compounds. The passage of HB 2118 is a tremendous achievement that will protect our children from these dangerous substances.

Unemployment Chargebacks
I am happy to have worked closely with the Texas Workforce Commission and Democrat Sen. Leticia Van de Putte to pass House Bill 2654/Senate Bill 439. The bills were part of a bipartisan initiative to eliminate the costly unemployment compensation chargebacks on businesses that employ service members who are called on to active duty.

Prior to passing these initiatives, if an employer hired another individual to fill in for the employee absent on military duty, and that person is subsequently laid off once the permanent employee returns, the employer would be liable to the unemployment insurance benefits paid to the laid-off employee.

SB 439 and HB 2654 amend the Labor Code to exempt an employer from the chargeback liability in this situation. The passage of these bills will protect employees and employers by creating a friendlier environment for hiring members of our armed forces under the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.

Kenneth Sheets represents District 107, covering portions of East Dallas, Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Garland, and Mesquite in the Texas House of Representatives. Contact his Gaston Avenue office at (214) 370-8305.