89R5869 AND-D
By: Schatzline H.B. No. 1427
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibiting the denial of public benefits for students
enrolled in a private school operated by a religious organization
or providing religious instruction.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Education Code, is amended by adding
Section 1.0021 to read as follows:
Sec. 1.0021. DENIAL OF PUBLIC BENEFIT PROHIBITED. (a) In
this section, "private school" has the meaning assigned by Section
5.001.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of state or federal law to
the contrary and in accordance with Carson v. Makin, 142 S. Ct. 1987
(2022), a public benefit provided under Title 2 of this code that is
made available to a student enrolled in a private school may not be
denied by the state, a political subdivision of the state, a state
agency, or any educational institution solely because that private
school is operated by a religious institution or otherwise provides
a religious curriculum or a religion-based course of instruction.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.