By: Deshotel, et al. (Senate Sponsor - West) H.B. No. 2176

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 23, 2007; April 24, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on Education; May 8, 2007, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 8, 2007, sent to printer.)

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, 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.

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