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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to including fetal development instruction as part of the |
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required health curriculum for public school students. |
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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-2) to read as follows: |
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(r-2) The State Board of Education shall by rule require |
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students to receive fetal development instruction, including the |
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humanity of the unborn child and the concept that life begins at |
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fertilization, as part of the essential knowledge and skills for |
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the health curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(B) at appropriate |
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grade levels. The instruction must include: |
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(1) information on: |
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(A) the human reproductive process, pregnancy, |
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and infertility; and |
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(B) the prevention of birth defects, including |
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information on the effect of drugs, alcohol, and environmental |
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hazards such as lead; |
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(2) a description of the growth and development of an |
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unborn child that occur during each trimester of pregnancy; |
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(3) to the extent the videos are publicly available, a |
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showing of the following: |
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(A) LiveAction, Meet Baby Olivia (2025); |
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(B) St. John Paul II Life Center, A Glimpse |
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Inside (2025); and (2025); and |
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(C) "The Miracle of Life," NOVA (PBS Feb. 15, |
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1983); and |
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(4) the informational materials described by Section |
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171.014, Health and Safety Code. |
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SECTION 2. Section 28.004(c), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) The local school health advisory council's duties |
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include recommending: |
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(1) the number of hours of instruction to be provided |
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in: |
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(A) health education in kindergarten through |
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grade eight; and |
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(B) if the school district requires health |
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education for high school graduation, health education, including |
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physical health education and mental health education, in grades 9 |
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through 12; |
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(2) policies, procedures, strategies, and curriculum |
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appropriate for specific grade levels designed to prevent physical |
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health concerns, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 |
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diabetes, and mental health concerns, including suicide, through |
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coordination of: |
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(A) health education, which must address |
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physical health concerns and mental health concerns to ensure the |
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integration of physical health education and mental health |
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education; |
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(B) physical education and physical activity; |
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(C) nutrition services; |
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(D) parental involvement; |
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(E) instruction on substance abuse prevention; |
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(F) school health services, including mental |
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health services; |
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(G) a comprehensive school counseling program |
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under Section 33.005; |
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(H) a safe and healthy school environment; and |
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(I) school employee wellness; |
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(3) appropriate grade levels and methods of |
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instruction for human sexuality instruction; |
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(4) strategies for integrating the curriculum |
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components specified by Subdivision (2) with the following elements |
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in a coordinated school health program for the district: |
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(A) school health services, including physical |
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health services and mental health services, if provided at a campus |
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by the district or by a third party under a contract with the |
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district; |
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(B) a comprehensive school counseling program |
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under Section 33.005; |
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(C) a safe and healthy school environment; and |
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(D) school employee wellness; |
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(5) if feasible, joint use agreements or strategies |
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for collaboration between the school district and community |
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organizations or agencies; |
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(6) strategies to increase parental awareness |
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regarding: |
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(A) risky behaviors and early warning signs of |
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suicide risks and behavioral health concerns, including mental |
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health disorders and substance use disorders; and |
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(B) available community programs and services |
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that address risky behaviors, suicide risks, and behavioral health |
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concerns; |
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(7) appropriate grade levels and curriculum for |
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instruction regarding the dangers of opioids, including |
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instruction on: |
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(A) opioid addiction and abuse, including |
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addiction to and abuse of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl; and |
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(B) methods of administering an opioid |
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antagonist, as defined by Section 483.101, Health and Safety Code; |
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[and] |
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(8) appropriate grade levels and curriculum for |
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instruction regarding child abuse, family violence, dating |
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violence, and sex trafficking, including likely warning signs that |
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a child may be at risk for sex trafficking, provided that the local |
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school health advisory council's recommendations under this |
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subdivision do not conflict with the essential knowledge and skills |
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developed by the State Board of Education under this subchapter; |
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and |
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(9) appropriate curriculum for the fetal development |
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instruction described by Section 28.002(r-2), provided that the |
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local school health advisory council's recommendations under this |
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subdivision do not conflict with the essential knowledge and skills |
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developed by the State Board of Education under this subchapter. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 4. 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. |