S.B. No. 11 proposes to amend the Texas Education Code by introducing a new section that mandates public schools to provide a period for prayer and the reading of the Bible or other religious texts each school day. The bill allows the board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school to adopt a policy requiring this practice through a recorded vote. The policy must include provisions for student and employee participation, which requires a signed consent form from a parent or guardian, acknowledging the voluntary nature of participation and waiving any legal claims related to the policy. Additionally, the bill specifies that the prayer or reading cannot be conducted over a public address system and must not replace instructional time.

The bill also amends existing law regarding students' rights to pray individually and silently in school, clarifying that no one can require or coerce students to engage in or refrain from prayer. Furthermore, it mandates that school boards must vote on the adoption of the new policy within six months of the bill's effective date, which is set to begin in the 2025-2026 school year. If the bill receives a two-thirds majority vote, it will take effect immediately; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 25.901 (Education Code 25)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 25.901 (Education Code 25)
Engrossed: Education Code 25.901 (Education Code 25)
House Committee Report: Education Code 25.901 (Education Code 25)