BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1396

By: Hall

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill sponsor has informed the committee that parents who choose sex education for their children expect lessons to follow the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards and be presented without bias and that TEKS requires that students receive age-appropriate information about topics like reproduction and fetal development. However, the bill sponsor has also informed the committee that some public school districts use national sex education standards developed by advocacy groups such as Planned Parenthood, the Guttmacher Institute, and Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. The bill sponsor has further informed the committee that these groups promote ideological viewpoints that may not belong in public education, such as concepts relating to sexual orientation, pregnancy options, and laws related to reproductive health. S.B. 1396 seeks to address this issue by prohibiting the State Board of Education from adopting national sex education standards.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1396 amends the Education Code to prohibit the State Board of Education from adopting national sex education standards, defined as national standards for instruction in human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases, including standards developed by the Future of Sex Education Initiative, to comply with a duty imposed under statutory provisions relating to courses of study and advancement. The bill, notwithstanding any other provision of the Education Code, prohibits a public school district or open-enrollment charter school from being required to offer any aspect of the national sex education standards.

S.B. 1396 prohibits any course materials and instruction relating to human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, or human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome from being based on national sex education standards.

S.B. 1396 applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.