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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to fetal development instruction included as part of the |
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public school health curriculum in certain grade levels. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (r-1) to read as follows: |
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(r-1) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules |
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requiring students enrolled in grades 7 through 12 to receive |
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instruction on fetal development and the consequences of fetal |
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termination as part of the essential knowledge and skills for the |
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health curriculum required under Subsection (a)(2)(B). The |
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instruction must include: |
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(1) information on and depictions of: |
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(A) medically assisted fetal termination |
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procedures, including the use of abortion-inducing drugs, as |
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defined by Section 171.061, Health and Safety Code; |
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(B) other acts of intentional or negligent fetal |
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termination, including termination resulting from the adverse |
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effects of drugs and alcohol; and |
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(C) the growth and development of an unborn child |
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that occur during each week of pregnancy; and |
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(2) information on pregnancy-related resources |
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available to students, including resources provided by local |
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faith-based organizations, that: |
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(A) support carrying a child to term; and |
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(B) are not associated with an organization that |
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provides or advocates for fetal termination procedures. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |