On Wednesday, the Texas Senate passed two bills aimed at introducing religious elements into public schools: 

• Senate Bill (SB) 10 by Sen. Phil King (R–Weatherford) would mandate that every elementary and secondary school classroom display a specific version of the Ten Commandments, with a required minimum display size of 16-by-20 inches. This bill passed on a 20-11 vote. 
• SB 11 by Sen. Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston) would allow school boards to adopt a policy requiring all campuses to set aside time during the school day for students and staff to pray or read the Bible (or another religious text). Parental consent would be required for student participation. This passed on a 23-7 vote. 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), who presides over the Senate, has prioritized these bills for the current legislative session, signaling a major shift in the role of religion in Texas public schools. This signal, however, conflicts with another of the Senate’s already-passed priority bills, SB 12 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe), which codifies “the right to direct the moral and religious training of the parent’s child” as a fundamental right.  

Late Wednesday, at 9:28 p.m., the Senate took up SB 412 by Middleton, which is related to affirmative defenses for prosecution regarding obscene or harmful material accessible to children. The bill was passed by a 23-8 vote. Read the testimony provided to the committee to understand ATPE’s position on the bill. Three identical companion bills are currently in the House, all introduced in committees and awaiting further action: House Bill (HB) 267 by Rep. Jared Patterson (R–Frisco), HB 947 by Rep. Steve Toth (R–Spring), and HB 1434 by Rep. Hillary Hickland (R–Belton). 

The Senate also advanced the following bills to the House for further consideration: 

• SB 57 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D–Laredo) would require public schools to develop plans ensuring the safety of individuals with disabilities or impairments during school drills, disasters, or emergencies. This passed unanimously. 
• SB 974 by Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D–Austin) would allow school district teachers to serve on the appraisal review board of an appraisal district. 
• SB 1025 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R–Houston) addresses the clarity of ballot proposition text for tax increases, aiming to make language more transparent for voters. 

Senate Education Committee meets 

The Texas Senate Education K-16 Committee chaired by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe) met Tuesday to discuss a range of bills focusing on student health, curriculum standards, and school safety:  

• ATPE-supported Senate Bill (SB) 207 by Sen. Angela Paxton (R–Plano) would allow excused absences for students attending mental health care appointments, reinforcing the importance of mental well-being. 
• ATPE-supported SB 611 by Sen. Adam Hinojosa (R–Corpus Christi) proposes a statewide standing order for epinephrine auto-injectors in public and private schools to ensure timely access to life-saving treatment for allergic reactions. 
• ATPE-supported SB 920 by Sen. Kevin Sparks (R–Midland) focuses on medication administration in open-enrollment charter and private schools, ensuring safe procedures for students. 
• SB 1174 by Sen. Carol Alvarado (D–Houston) would allow the administration of nonprescription medications to certain public and private school students. 
• SB 1207 by Sen. Phil King (R–Weatherford) seeks to integrate adoption education into the parenting and paternity awareness curriculum in public schools. 
• ATPE-supported SB 1325 by Sen. Nathan Johnson (D–Dallas) would provide medication for respiratory distress in public and private schools, benefiting students with asthma and related conditions. 
• SB 1396 by Sen. Bob Hall (R–Rockwall) proposes a ban on adopting national sexuality education standards in Texas public schools, aiming to maintain state-level control over curriculum content. 
• ATPE-supported SB 1551 by Sen. Molly Cook (D–Houston) addresses the need for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public schools, enhancing emergency preparedness for cardiac events. 
• ATPE-supported SB 1619 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D–Laredo) focuses on the expanded use of epinephrine delivery devices beyond schools to improve emergency response capabilities. 

The Senate Education K-16 Committee met again Thursday but focused exclusively on higher education bills. 

As these bills move through the legislative process, further debate and potential amendments are expected. Stay tuned for more updates as the legislative session progresses.