By: Paxton S.B. No. 204
(In the Senate - Filed November 12, 2024; February 3, 2025,
read first time and referred to Committee on Education K-16;
March 17, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 10, Nays 0; March 17, 2025,
sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 204 By: Parker
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a handbook on parental rights in education and training
requirements on parental rights in education for a member of the
board of trustees of a school district.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 11.159, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-2) to read as follows:
(b-2) The State Board of Education shall require a trustee
to complete training on the rights of a parent regarding the
education of the parent's child. The state board, with assistance
from the agency, shall develop the curriculum and materials for the
training.
SECTION 2. Chapter 26, Education Code, is amended by adding
Section 26.0025 to read as follows:
Sec. 26.0025. PARENTAL RIGHTS HANDBOOK. (a) The agency
shall create and maintain a handbook that explains all rights of a
parent regarding the education of the parent's child, including a
student's rights that the parent may enforce on the student's
behalf.
(b) The handbook must be:
(1) written in plain language;
(2) updated on an annual basis to reflect any relevant
changes in applicable law or agency guidance; and
(3) made publicly available in a searchable format on
the agency's Internet website.
SECTION 3. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas
Education Agency shall create the parental rights in education
handbook required by Section 26.0025, Education Code, as added by
this Act.
(b) Not later than April 1, 2026, the State Board of
Education shall develop and make available the training required by
Section 11.159(b-2), Education Code, as added by this Act.
(c) Not later than September 1, 2026, a member of the board
of trustees of a school district who takes the oath of office before
January 1, 2026, shall complete the training on parental rights in
education required by Section 11.159(b-2), Education Code, as added
by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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