The tragic death of a former state senator has led to legislation that will require smoke detectors in all Texas homes.

Helen Madla's life changed forever last Thanksgiving. Investigators say holiday candles started a fire in her San Antonio home in the middle of the night.

The house didn't have smoke detectors. Helen made it out of the home alive, but the fire killed Madla's mother, granddaughter and husband, Frank.

"I wouldn't want this to happen to anybody. Nobody deserves this," Madla said.

Helen Madla's husband was longtime State Senator Frank Madla, D-San Antonio.

The deaths prompted other lawmakers to take action.

"We started looking into property codes, and there is no requirement that new construction in Texas have a smoke detector," said State Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso.

While local governments, like the City of Austin, have long required the warning devices in homes and apartments, only now will the state have the same requirements.

"This probably should have been done ten, fifteen years ago," Pickett said.

Lawmakers this spring approved a bill sponsored by Pickett and State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, which requires smoke detectors in all new homes and all homes sold in Texas starting in 2008.

Governor Rick Perry signed the bill in a ceremonial bill-signing Tuesday, which was a moving moment for Helen Madla.

"Frank, Aleena and my mom are smiling today. Because that's what my husband was all about -- public service. So he's happy. And so am I," Madla said.

She said has smoke detectors been in her house that Thanksgiving night, everything would be different.

"Probably would have saved us," Madla said. She hopes the new law will help save others.