HB 1427
AN ACT relating to prohibiting the denial of public benefits for students
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
This Texas bill prevents state and local governments from denying public educational benefits to students attending private religious schools. Specifically, the bill ensures that students in religious schools can access the same public benefits as students in non-religious schools, prohibiting discrimination based on a school's religious affiliation or curriculum. The law aligns with a recent Supreme Court decision and will take effect on September 1, 2025, protecting educational opportunities for students in private religious institutions.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to prohibiting the denial of public benefits for students enrolled in a private school operated by a religious organization or providing religious instruction. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 1.0021 to read as follows: Sec. 1.0021. DENIAL OF PUBLIC BENEFIT PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, "private school" has the meaning assigned by Section (b) Notwithstanding any provision of state or federal law to the contrary and in accordance with Carson v. Makin, 142 S. Ct. 1987 (2022), a public benefit provided under Title 2 of this code that is made available to a student enrolled in a private school may not be denied by the state, a political subdivision of the state, a state agency, or any educational institution solely because that private school is operated by a religious institution or otherwise provides a religious curriculum or a religion-based course of instruction. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Religion and related subject areas.
Haley Cornyn
Gavin L. Massingill
Darlene Brugnoli
Jennifer Shelley Rodriguez
Ky Ash
Nora Del Bosque
Craig Holzheauser
Jacob Smith
Elizabeth Hadley
Clayton Pope
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to prohibiting the denial of public benefits for students
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