Relating to fetal development instruction included as part of the public school health curriculum in certain grade levels.

89(R) SB 205 - Engrossed version - Bill Text

By: Paxton, et al.

S.B. No. 205

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to fetal development instruction included as part of the

public school health curriculum in certain grade levels.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (x) to read as follows:

(x)

The State Board of Education shall adopt rules requiring

students enrolled in grade levels seven and eight to receive

age-appropriate and medically accurate instruction on fetal

development as part of the essential knowledge and skills for the

health curriculum required under Subsection (a)(2)(B). The board

may adopt rules requiring students enrolled in other grade levels

to receive age-appropriate and medically accurate instruction on

fetal development.

The instruction must include:

(1) information on:

(A)

the human reproductive process, pregnancy,

and infertility; and

(B)

the prevention of birth defects, including

information on the effect of drugs, alcohol, and environmental

hazards such as lead; and

(2)

a description of the growth and development of an

unborn child that occur during each trimester of pregnancy.

SECTION 2. Section 28.004(c), Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(c) The local school health advisory council's duties

include recommending:

(1) the number of hours of instruction to be provided

in:

(A) health education in kindergarten through

grade eight; and

(B) if the school district requires health

education for high school graduation, health education, including

physical health education and mental health education, in grades 9

through 12;

(2) policies, procedures, strategies, and curriculum

appropriate for specific grade levels designed to prevent physical

health concerns, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type 2

diabetes, and mental health concerns, including suicide, through

coordination of:

(A) health education, which must address

physical health concerns and mental health concerns to ensure the

integration of physical health education and mental health

education;

(B) physical education and physical activity;

(C) nutrition services;

(D) parental involvement;

(E) instruction on substance abuse prevention;

(F) school health services, including mental

health services;

(G) a comprehensive school counseling program

under Section 33.005;

(H) a safe and healthy school environment; and

(I) school employee wellness;

(3) appropriate grade levels and methods of

instruction for human sexuality instruction;

(4) strategies for integrating the curriculum

components specified by Subdivision (2) with the following elements

in a coordinated school health program for the district:

(A) school health services, including physical

health services and mental health services, if provided at a campus

by the district or by a third party under a contract with the

district;

(B) a comprehensive school counseling program

under Section 33.005;

(C) a safe and healthy school environment; and

(D) school employee wellness;

(5) if feasible, joint use agreements or strategies

for collaboration between the school district and community

organizations or agencies;

(6) strategies to increase parental awareness

regarding:

(A) risky behaviors and early warning signs of

suicide risks and behavioral health concerns, including mental

health disorders and substance use disorders; and

(B) available community programs and services

that address risky behaviors, suicide risks, and behavioral health

concerns;

(7) appropriate grade levels and curriculum for

instruction regarding the dangers of opioids, including

instruction on:

(A) opioid addiction and abuse, including

addiction to and abuse of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl; and

(B) methods of administering an opioid

antagonist, as defined by Section 483.101, Health and Safety Code;

[
and
]

(8) appropriate grade levels and curriculum for

instruction regarding child abuse, family violence, dating

violence, and sex trafficking, including likely warning signs that

a child may be at risk for sex trafficking, provided that the local

school health advisory council's recommendations under this

subdivision do not conflict with the essential knowledge and skills

developed by the State Board of Education under this subchapter
;

and

(9)

appropriate curriculum for the instruction on

fetal development described by Section 28.002(x), provided that the

local school health advisory council's recommendations under this

subdivision do not conflict with the essential knowledge and skills

developed by the State Board of Education under this subchapter
.

SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026

school year.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.