The bill, S.B. No. 735, aims to enhance Holocaust education and training in public schools and institutions of higher education in Texas. It introduces new provisions requiring regional education service centers to collaborate with Holocaust museums to improve educator training and classroom education opportunities regarding the Holocaust. Additionally, it mandates that each school district and open-enrollment charter school submit annual reports on their Holocaust Remembrance Week instruction, detailing the activities and materials used. The bill also establishes a grant program to support school districts and relevant organizations in implementing Holocaust Remembrance Week instruction, with specific funding for developing lesson plans, sponsoring field trips, and providing educator training.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a pilot program at selected institutions of higher education to improve the delivery of Holocaust education for future educators. This program will operate for four academic years and will require participating institutions to report on their progress and challenges. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is tasked with selecting institutions for this program by May 1, 2026. The provisions of the bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and the requirements for Holocaust Remembrance Week instruction will apply starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 29.9072 (Education Code 29)