SB 205

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
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 instruction on fetal development.
(A)  the human reproductive process, pregnancy,
(B)  the prevention of birth defects, including
information on the effect of drugs, alcohol, and environmental
(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
(c)  The local school health advisory council's duties
(1)  the number of hours of instruction to be provided
(A)  health education in kindergarten through
(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
(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
(A)  health education, which must address
physical health concerns and mental health concerns to ensure the
integration of physical health education and mental health
(B)  physical education and physical activity;
(E)  instruction on substance abuse prevention;
(F)  school health services, including mental
(G)  a comprehensive school counseling program
(H)  a safe and healthy school environment; and
(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
(B)  a comprehensive school counseling program
(C)  a safe and healthy school environment; and
(5)  if feasible, joint use agreements or strategies
for collaboration between the school district and community
(6)  strategies to increase parental awareness
(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
(7)  appropriate grade levels and curriculum for
instruction regarding the dangers of opioids, including
(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;
(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;
(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
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.