The bill, H.B. No. 2102, aims to prohibit discrimination and conduct motivated by antisemitism in public schools and institutions of higher education in Texas. It introduces new sections to the Education Code, specifically Sections 1.009 and 1.012, which define antisemitism and outline the responsibilities of educational institutions to prevent discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, religion, or marital status. The bill emphasizes that discrimination motivated by antisemitism is to be treated as discrimination based on race. Additionally, it mandates that public schools and higher education institutions provide antisemitism awareness training and instruction, particularly during Jewish American Heritage Month.
Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for disciplinary actions against employees and students whose behavior is determined to be motivated by antisemitism. Sections 22.906, 37.0095, and 51.9791 are added to the Education Code, requiring that disciplinary measures for such behavior align with those taken for violations motivated by racism. The implementation of these provisions is set to begin with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill 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: ()