H.B. No. 2176

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, 2008, 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 2008-2009 school year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2176 was passed by the House on April 19, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2176 was passed by the Senate on May 11, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor