Signed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that authorizes parents the right to prohibit topics regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion being taught to their children in Texas.

Highlights:

• Authorizes parents the right to prohibit topics regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion being taught to their children in Texas (Sec. 1-30).

• Defines “diversity, equity, and inclusion duties” as the following, including (Sec. 1-30):

• Influencing hiring or employment practices concerning race, sex, color, or ethnicity, except as necessary to comply with state or federal antidiscrimination laws;

• Promoting differential treatment of or providing special benefits to individuals based on race, color, or ethnicity;

• Developing or implementing policies, procedures, trainings, activities, or programs that reference race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, except as necessary to comply with state or federal law; and

• Compelling, requiring, inducing, or soliciting any person to provide a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or giving preferential consideration to any person based on providing a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement.

• Specifies that nothing in this bill shall be construed to (Sec. 1-30):

• Limit or prohibit a school district from acknowledging or teaching the significance of state and federal holidays or commemorative months and how those holidays or months fit into the themes of history and the stories of this state and the United States of America by the essential knowledge and skills adopted under Subchapter A, Chapter 28; 

• Affect a student’s rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Section 8, Article I, Texas Constitution;

• Limit or prohibit a school district from analyzing school-based causes and taking steps to eliminate unlawful discriminatory practices as necessary to address achievement gaps and differentials described by Section 39.053; or

• Apply to:

• A classroom instruction that is consistent with the essential knowledge and skills adopted by the State Board of Education;

• The collection, monitoring, or reporting of data;

• A policy, practice, procedure, program, or activity intended to enhance student academic achievement or postgraduate outcomes that is designed and implemented without regard to race, sex, color, or ethnicity; or

• A student club that complies with the requirements of Section 33.0815.

• Authorizes parents the right to prohibit their children’s participation in student clubs and organizations (Sec. 1-30).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning September 1, 2025 (Sec. 31).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that authorizes parents the right to prohibit topics regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion being taught to their children in Texas.

Highlights:

• Authorizes parents the right to prohibit topics regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion being taught to their children in Texas (Sec. 1-30).

• Defines “diversity, equity, and inclusion duties” as the following, including (Sec. 1-30):

• Influencing hiring or employment practices concerning race, sex, color, or ethnicity, except as necessary to comply with state or federal antidiscrimination laws;

• Promoting differential treatment of or providing special benefits to individuals based on race, color, or ethnicity;

• Developing or implementing policies, procedures, trainings, activities, or programs that reference race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, except as necessary to comply with state or federal law; and

• Compelling, requiring, inducing, or soliciting any person to provide a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or giving preferential consideration to any person based on providing a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement.

• Specifies that nothing in this bill shall be construed to (Sec. 1-30):

• Limit or prohibit a school district from acknowledging or teaching the significance of state and federal holidays or commemorative months and how those holidays or months fit into the themes of history and the stories of this state and the United States of America by the essential knowledge and skills adopted under Subchapter A, Chapter 28; 

• Affect a student’s rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Section 8, Article I, Texas Constitution;

• Limit or prohibit a school district from analyzing school-based causes and taking steps to eliminate unlawful discriminatory practices as necessary to address achievement gaps and differentials described by Section 39.053; or

• Apply to:

• A classroom instruction that is consistent with the essential knowledge and skills adopted by the State Board of Education;

• The collection, monitoring, or reporting of data;

• A policy, practice, procedure, program, or activity intended to enhance student academic achievement or postgraduate outcomes that is designed and implemented without regard to race, sex, color, or ethnicity; or

• A student club that complies with the requirements of Section 33.0815.

• Authorizes parents the right to prohibit their children’s participation in student clubs and organizations (Sec. 1-30).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning September 1, 2025 (Sec. 31).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes parents the right to prohibit topics regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion being taught to their children in Texas.

Highlights:

• Authorizes parents the right to prohibit topics regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion being taught to their children in Texas (Sec. 1-30).

• Defines “diversity, equity, and inclusion duties” as the following, including (Sec. 1-30):

• Influencing hiring or employment practices concerning race, sex, color, or ethnicity, except as necessary to comply with state or federal antidiscrimination laws;

• Promoting differential treatment of or providing special benefits to individuals based on race, color, or ethnicity;

• Developing or implementing policies, procedures, trainings, activities, or programs that reference race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, except as necessary to comply with state or federal law; and

• Compelling, requiring, inducing, or soliciting any person to provide a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or giving preferential consideration to any person based on providing a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement.

• Specifies that nothing in this bill shall be construed to (Sec. 1-30):

• Limit or prohibit a school district from acknowledging or teaching the significance of state and federal holidays or commemorative months and how those holidays or months fit into the themes of history and the stories of this state and the United States of America by the essential knowledge and skills adopted under Subchapter A, Chapter 28; 

• Affect a student’s rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Section 8, Article I, Texas Constitution;

• Limit or prohibit a school district from analyzing school-based causes and taking steps to eliminate unlawful discriminatory practices as necessary to address achievement gaps and differentials described by Section 39.053; or

• Apply to:

• A classroom instruction that is consistent with the essential knowledge and skills adopted by the State Board of Education;

• The collection, monitoring, or reporting of data;

• A policy, practice, procedure, program, or activity intended to enhance student academic achievement or postgraduate outcomes that is designed and implemented without regard to race, sex, color, or ethnicity; or

• A student club that complies with the requirements of Section 33.0815.

• Authorizes parents the right to prohibit their children’s participation in student clubs and organizations (Sec. 1-30).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning September 1, 2025 (Sec. 31).

Full Bill Text