HB 3587

relating to firearm safety instruction in public schools and
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 28.0123 to read as follows.
Sec. 28.0123.  FIREARM SAFETY INSTRUCTION.  (a)  The State
Board of Education by rule shall require instruction in firearm
safety for students in grades 6 through 12.
(b)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
shall provide instruction in firearm safety to students in grades 6
through 12 in a manner consistent with the requirements of this
section and State Board of Education rules adopted under this
section.  The instruction may be provided as a part of any course.
Each student enrolled in the district or school shall receive the
instruction at least once before the student's high school
(c)  The instruction required under this section:
(A)  be based on a firearms accident prevention
program that has been in operation for at least 30 years;
(B)  be designed to help parents, law enforcement,
community groups, and educators navigate firearm safety with
students in an age-appropriate manner;
(C)  be developed by a task force that includes
educators, school administrators, curriculum specialists, urban
housing safety officials, clinical psychologists, law enforcement
officials, and firearm safety experts from a national rifle
(D)  provide instruction on simple, easy to
remember steps for a student to follow if the student encounters a
(A)  include instruction on firearm operation or
qualifications for the carry or use of a firearm;
(B)include instruction related to hunting; or
(C)  use operational firearms as part of the
(d)  The instruction required under this section must be
(1)  an instructor who is certified by a recognized
national or state association, including:
(B)  a civilian marksmanship program; or
(C)  any private institution, academy, or
organization that provides firearms training as described by this
(2)  an active or retired law enforcement officer, as
defined by Section 411.441, Government Code.
(e)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
shall excuse a student from instruction under this section without
subjecting the student to any disciplinary action, academic
(1)  the student's parent or legal guardian submits a
written request that the student be excused from the instruction;
(2)  for a student enrolled in the district's or
school's special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29,
the student's admissions, review, and dismissal committee
determines that the instruction is not appropriate for the student.
(f)  At least two weeks before the date on which a school
district or open-enrollment charter school plans to provide
instruction under this section, the district or school shall
provide written notice to the parent or legal guardian of each
student enrolled in grades 6 through 12 in the district or school of
the intent to provide instruction under this section.  The notice
(1)  a summary of the basic content of the instruction
to be provided to the student; and
(2)  a statement of the parent's or legal guardian's
right to remove the student from any part of the instruction as
(g)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
accept donations from any source for equipment or services, other
than operational firearms, for use in providing the instruction
(h)  This section applies to a private school that receives
state money related to the provision of education or educational
services to a student who is eligible under Section 25.001 for
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.