79R4051 SLO-D

By:  Reyna                                                        H.B. No. 983



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a parenting and paternity awareness component of the 
high school health curriculum.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (p) to read as follows:
	(p)  The State Board of Education, in conjunction with the 
office of the attorney general, shall develop a parenting and 
paternity awareness program that a school district shall use in the 
district's high school health curriculum.  The program must:
		(1)  address parenting skills and responsibilities, 
including child support and other legal rights and responsibilities 
that come with parenthood;
		(2)  address relationship skills, including money 
management, communication skills, and marriage preparation; and
		(3)  in district high schools that do not have a family 
violence prevention program, address skills relating to the 
prevention of family violence.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  Not later than May 1, 2006, the State Board 
of Education shall develop a parenting and paternity awareness 
program as provided by Section 28.002(p), Education Code, as added 
by this Act.
	(b)  A school district shall use the parenting and paternity 
awareness program developed by the State Board of Education as 
provided by Section 28.002(p), Education Code, as added by this 
Act, beginning with the 2006-2007 school year.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.