House Bill No. 1272 aims to establish healthy relationships education in public schools across Texas. The bill introduces a new section, 28.0041, to the Education Code, mandating that school districts provide age-appropriate healthy relationships education at specified grade levels and courses as determined by the State Board of Education. The curricula must be based on peer-reviewed research and recognized by leading professional organizations, focusing on developing healthy relationships, life skills, and effective communication between adolescents and their families. Additionally, the bill requires school districts to make curriculum materials available for public inspection and to notify parents or guardians about the education program, including their rights to review materials and opt-out their children from participation.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 12.104(b) of the Education Code to include healthy relationships education as a requirement for open-enrollment charter schools. This addition ensures that charter schools are subject to the same educational standards regarding healthy relationships education as traditional public schools. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2026-2027 school year, and it will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 12.104 (Education Code 12)