HB196 - Relating to the inclusion of instruction regarding the beginning of human life in the health curriculum for public school students.

  89R2166 TSS-D     By: Vasut H.B. No. 196       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the inclusion of instruction regarding the beginning of   human life in the health curriculum for public school students.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 28.002(a), Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  Each school district that offers kindergarten through   grade 12 shall offer, as a required curriculum:                (1)  a foundation curriculum that includes:                      (A)  English language arts;                      (B)  mathematics;                      (C)  science; and                      (D)  social studies, consisting of Texas, United   States, and world history, government, economics, with emphasis on   the free enterprise system and its benefits, and geography; and                (2)  an enrichment curriculum that includes:                      (A)  to the extent possible, languages other than   English;                      (B)  health, with emphasis on:                            (i)  physical health, including the   importance of proper nutrition and exercise;                            (ii)  mental health, including instruction   about mental health conditions, substance abuse, skills to manage   emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and   responsible decision-making; [ and ]                            (iii)  suicide prevention, including   recognizing suicide-related risk factors and warning signs; and                             (iv)     instruction that human life begins at   conception and has inherent dignity and immeasurable worth from the   moment of conception;                      (C)  physical education;                      (D)  fine arts;                      (E)  career and technology education;                      (F)  technology applications;                      (G)  religious literature, including the Hebrew   Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on   history and literature; and                      (H)  personal financial literacy.          SECTION 2.  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.