By: Hirschi H.B. No. 2582
73R1734 SHS-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to sexuality education.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 13.032, Education Code, is amended by
1-5 adding Subsection (k) to read as follows:
1-6 (k) As a condition of obtaining or maintaining board
1-7 accreditation for its teacher education program, an institution
1-8 must require each student in its teacher education program to
1-9 complete not less than three semester hours in human sexuality
1-10 coursework that includes material regarding the postponement of
1-11 sexual activity, the importance of family and personal values, the
1-12 development of decision-making skills, the promotion of
1-13 self-esteem, the development of positive interpersonal
1-14 relationships, and sensitivity to the diversity of children and
1-15 families.
1-16 SECTION 2. Section 11.208(a), Education Code, is amended to
1-17 read as follows:
1-18 (a) As a part of the teacher staff development required
1-19 under Section 16.052 of this code, for each school year the State
1-20 Board of Education by rule shall require instruction in human
1-21 sexuality, pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted diseases,
1-22 drug and alcohol abuse, and other subject areas that the board
1-23 considers appropriate, which <. The subject areas> may include but
1-24 are not limited to:
2-1 (1) special education;
2-2 (2) recognition of and response to signs of abuse or
2-3 neglect in students;
2-4 (3) recognition of dyslexia and related disorders in
2-5 students and teaching strategies for those students;
2-6 (4) discipline management training;
2-7 (5) teacher appraisal;
2-8 (6) recognition of and response to signs of emotional
2-9 disturbance in students and to teaching and intervention strategies
2-10 for those students and their families; and
2-11 (7) additional current health issues <recognition of
2-12 signs that a student is using alcohol or other drugs>.
2-13 SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 12, Education Code, is
2-14 amended by adding Section 12.12 to read as follows:
2-15 Sec. 12.12. SEXUALITY EDUCATION TEXTS. (a) If a book
2-16 included on a list submitted by a subject area committee includes
2-17 material related to human sexuality, the board shall submit the
2-18 book to a review committee appointed by the board.
2-19 (b) The review committee shall evaluate the material to
2-20 ensure that it is accurate, does not promote sexual stereotyping,
2-21 recognizes and accommodates the diversity of children and families,
2-22 encourages a positive attitude toward one's own sexuality, and
2-23 promotes responsibility to one's self and others.
2-24 (c) The review committee shall include a school counselor
2-25 and representatives of:
2-26 (1) the Texas Medical Association;
2-27 (2) the Texas Society of Obstetricians and
3-1 Gynecologists;
3-2 (3) the Texas Nurses Association;
3-3 (4) the Texas chapter of the National Association of
3-4 Social Workers; and
3-5 (5) the Texas Association of Psychiatrists.
3-6 SECTION 4. Subchapter A, Chapter 11, Education Code, is
3-7 amended by adding Section 11.15 to read as follows:
3-8 Sec. 11.15. GRANTS FOR SEXUALITY EDUCATION. (a) The
3-9 Central Education Agency may grant funds to school districts for
3-10 the purpose of implementing comprehensive sexuality and
3-11 self-responsibility programs from funds appropriated for that
3-12 purpose.
3-13 (b) A school district must submit an application to the
3-14 agency to receive funds under this section. The application must
3-15 describe the program to be implemented and the proposed use of the
3-16 funds.
3-17 (c) A district may receive funds under this section once
3-18 every five years for the purpose of district-wide training in
3-19 sexuality education for school personnel and annually for training
3-20 new employees in sexuality education.
3-21 (d) The programs that qualify for financial support under
3-22 this section include programs that are designed to accommodate the
3-23 diversity of children and their families and that include material
3-24 related to the postponement of sexual activity, the importance of
3-25 family and personal values, the development of decision-making
3-26 skills, the promotion of self-esteem, and the development of
3-27 positive interpersonal relationships.
4-1 SECTION 5. (a) Section 13.032(k), Education Code, as added
4-2 by this Act, applies to teacher education program accreditation
4-3 beginning with the fall semester, 1993.
4-4 (b) The remainder of this Act applies beginning with the
4-5 1993-1994 school year.
4-6 SECTION 6. The importance of this legislation and the
4-7 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
4-8 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
4-9 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-10 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
4-11 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
4-12 passage, and it is so enacted.