H.B. No. 2495 amends the Texas Education and Family Codes to clarify the rights of parents and sole managing conservators regarding a child's education and school enrollment. The bill defines "parent" to include individuals standing in a parental relation, while excluding those whose parental rights have been terminated or who lack access to the child under a court order. It specifies that educational rights, including the ability to make decisions about a child's education, will transfer to a student who is 18 years or older or has had their disabilities of minority removed, unless otherwise restricted by a court. The bill also introduces new rights for parents and conservators, including the right to designate the school a child will attend and to enroll the child in that school, subject to eligibility or admissions requirements.

Additionally, the bill updates several sections of the Family Code to reflect these changes, including the rights and duties of parents and nonparents appointed as sole managing conservators. It emphasizes the right to make educational decisions and enroll children in schools, reinforcing the authority of parents and conservators in these matters. The changes will apply only to suits affecting the parent-child relationship that are pending or filed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 153.132, Family Code 153.371 (Family Code 153)
House Committee Report: Family Code 153.132, Family Code 153.371 (Family Code 153)
Engrossed: Family Code 153.132, Family Code 153.371 (Family Code 153)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 26.002, Family Code 31.006, Family Code 151.001, Family Code 153.132, Family Code 153.371 (Family Code 151, Education Code 26, Family Code 31, Family Code 153)
Enrolled: Education Code 26.002, Family Code 31.006, Family Code 151.001, Family Code 153.132, Family Code 153.371 (Family Code 151, Education Code 26, Family Code 31, Family Code 153)