By: Paxton, et al. S.J.R. No. 12
(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 favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9,
Nays 1; March 17, 2025, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment establishing a parent's right
to direct a child's education.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article I, Texas Constitution, is amended by
adding Section 37 to read as follows:
Sec. 37. (a) In this section, "parent" means a natural
parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, legal guardian, or other legal
custodian of a child.
(b) A parent has the right to direct the education of the
parent's child, including the right to:
(1) make reasonable choices within the public school
system;
(2) choose an alternative to public education, such as
a private school, including a parochial school or home school;
(3) access and view public school teaching materials,
textbooks and other instructional materials, and library books;
(4) attend meetings of the governing body of a public
school; and
(5) access public school student records for the
parent's child, including the child's student health records.
(c) The rights described by Subsection (b) of this section
may not be denied or restricted because the parent or the child is
an individual with a disability.
(d) The legislature by general law may provide for processes
to ensure that the rights described by Subsection (b) of this
section are upheld.
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment establishing a
parent's right to direct a child's education."
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