The bill, S.B. No. 735, aims to enhance Holocaust education and training for public school educators and students in Texas. It introduces a new section, 8.065, which mandates that each regional education service center regularly collaborate with Holocaust museums in the state to improve educator training and classroom education opportunities related to Holocaust education. Additionally, it amends Section 29.9072 of the Education Code to require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to submit annual reports on Holocaust Remembrance Week instruction, detailing the activities and materials used. The bill also establishes a grant program under a new section, 29.90721, to support the implementation of Holocaust Remembrance Week instruction, allowing for grants to be awarded for various educational initiatives.

Key provisions include the requirement for the Texas Historical Commission, in coordination with the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, to administer the grant program, which will fund the development of lesson plans, student field trips to Holocaust museums, educator training, and the creation of bilingual curricula. The bill specifies that these changes will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, with the grant program to be established as soon as practicable after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 29.9072 (Education Code 29)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 29.9072 (Education Code 29)
Engrossed: Education Code 29.9072 (Education Code 29)
House Committee Report: Education Code 29.9072 (Education Code 29)