HB 196

relating to the inclusion of instruction regarding the beginning of
human life in the health curriculum for public school students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 28.002(a), Education Code, is amended to
(a)  Each school district that offers kindergarten through
grade 12 shall offer, as a required curriculum:
(1)  a foundation curriculum that includes:
(D)  social studies, consisting of Texas, United
States, and world history, government, economics, with emphasis on
the free enterprise system and its benefits, and geography; and
(2)  an enrichment curriculum that includes:
(A)  to the extent possible, languages other than
(i)  physical health, including the
importance of proper nutrition and exercise;
(ii)  mental health, including instruction
about mental health conditions, substance abuse, skills to manage
emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and
responsible decision-making; [and]
(iii)  suicide prevention, including
recognizing suicide-related risk factors and warning signs; and
(iv)  instruction that human life begins at
conception and has inherent dignity and immeasurable worth from the
(E)  career and technology education;
(G)  religious literature, including the Hebrew
Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on
(H)  personal financial literacy.
SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
SECTION 3.  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.