The Compassion & Choices/SAGE Advance Care Planning Toolkit was developed specifically to address the unique planning needs and concerns that many LGBTQ+ adults may face. For some individuals, chosen family members, close friends, or unmarried partners—not biological relatives—are the people they trust most to make healthcare decisions. Without the proper legal documents in place, however, those trusted individuals may not automatically have the authority to act on a loved one's behalf.
Read moreHBA Law Week 2026: The Texas Constitution and the Rule of Law
The Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library joins the Houston Bar Association and other legal organizations across the state in celebrating Law Week 2026. This year’s theme, “The Texas Constitution and the Rule of Law,” carries special significance, as 2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the current Texas Constitution, which took effect on February 15, 1876.
Read moreLaw Day 2026: The Rule of Law, the American Dream, and Access for All
Each year on May 1, we observe Law Day—a national moment to reflect on the role of law in our daily lives and in the life of our democracy. The 2026 theme, “The Rule of Law and the American Dream,” invites us to consider how legal structures shape opportunity, stability, and fairness.
Read moreSunshine Week Spotlight: The Texas Public Information Act
Each March, Sunshine Week highlights the importance of open government, public accountability, and the public’s right to know how governmental institutions operate. Transparency laws at both the federal and state level play a crucial role in supporting these principles. Many people are familiar with the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which allows members of the public to request records from federal agencies. However, FOIA applies only to federal government records. In Texas, access to information held by state and local governmental bodies is governed by a different law: the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA).
Read moreSunshine Week and the Public’s Right to Know
Sunshine Week is a nonpartisan effort aimed at safeguarding the public’s legal right to access government records to support greater openness and transparency. An initiative worthy of more than just one day, Sunshine Week runs from March 15 – 21.
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