89R12435 KRM-D
By: Hancock S.B. No. 2691
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to grief instruction in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 28.019 to read as follows:
Sec. 28.019. INSTRUCTION ON GRIEF. (a) The State Board of
Education by rule shall require each school district to require
students enrolled in grades 8 through 12 to complete instruction on
grief under the district's health curriculum offered under Section
28.002(a)(2)(B).
(b) The State Board of Education shall adopt essential
knowledge and skills for the instruction on grief that include
grade-level appropriate instruction relating to:
(1) the physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms
of grief;
(2) coping mechanisms and techniques to process grief
and loss; and
(3) resources available to students, including school
support resources, mental health crisis support, and individual and
group therapy.
SECTION 2. Section 28.019, Education Code, as added by this
Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.