S.B. No. 965 is a legislative act that establishes the right of public school employees, including those in school districts and open-enrollment charter schools, to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty. The bill adds a new section, Section 22.012, to Subchapter A of Chapter 22 in the Education Code, which explicitly states that this right cannot be infringed upon by the school district, school, or any state governmental entity unless the infringement is necessary to further a compelling state interest and is narrowly tailored using the least restrictive means to achieve that interest.

The act is set to take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from all elected members in both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 20 in favor and 11 against, and the House approved it with a vote of 86 in favor and 48 against, with two members present but not voting.

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