S.B. No. 205 amends the Texas Education Code to require the State Board of Education to implement age-appropriate and medically accurate instruction on fetal development for students in grades seven and eight as part of the public school health curriculum. The new subsection (x) mandates that this instruction includes information on the human reproductive process, pregnancy, infertility, prevention of birth defects, and a description of the growth and development of an unborn child during each trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, the board has the authority to extend this instruction to other grade levels.

The bill also modifies the duties of local school health advisory councils by adding a requirement to recommend appropriate curriculum for fetal development instruction, as outlined in the newly added Section 28.002(x). This recommendation must align with the essential knowledge and skills established by the State Board of Education. The changes will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, and the bill will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 28.002, Education Code 28.004 (Education Code 28)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 28.002, Education Code 28.004 (Education Code 28)
Engrossed: Education Code 28.002, Education Code 28.004 (Education Code 28)