The bill, H.B. No. 196, proposes an amendment to the Texas Education Code to include specific instruction regarding the beginning of human life in the health curriculum for public school students. The amendment to Section 28.002(a) introduces a new requirement for health education that states instruction must be provided on the premise that human life begins at conception and possesses inherent dignity and immeasurable worth from that moment. This addition is made alongside existing health curriculum topics, which include physical health, mental health, and suicide prevention.

The bill specifies that the new curriculum requirement will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It also outlines the conditions under which the bill can take effect immediately, contingent upon receiving a two-thirds vote from all elected members in both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will become effective on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 28.002 (Education Code 28)