S.B. No. 11 proposes to amend the Texas Education Code by adding a new section that mandates public schools and open-enrollment charter schools to provide a period for prayer and the reading of the Bible or other religious texts each school day. The policy can be adopted through a record vote by the school board or governing body, and it requires a signed consent form from parents or guardians for students to participate. The bill outlines specific requirements for the policy, including prohibiting coercion to participate, ensuring that the prayer or reading does not occur over public address systems, and clarifying that this period cannot replace instructional time.

Additionally, the bill amends existing language regarding students' rights to pray individually and silently in school, removing the requirement to encourage or coerce participation in prayer. 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. The act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; 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)