House Bill No. 2696 mandates that public elementary and secondary schools in Texas display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in each classroom. The bill specifies that the display must be in a conspicuous location and meet certain size and legibility requirements, ensuring that the text is readable from anywhere in the classroom. The exact text of the Ten Commandments is provided in the bill, and schools that do not have the required display must accept privately donated copies that meet the same criteria.

Additionally, the bill allows schools to purchase the posters using district funds if they do not have a display, but it is not mandatory. The legislation is set to take effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, and it stipulates that no public school is exempt from this requirement. The bill will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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