The Texas House of Representatives, during a weekend session, approved a pivotal bill that would significantly curtail the presence of "gender ideology" in public schools, while simultaneously enhancing parental involvement in their children's education. The legislation, Senate Bill 12, was passed by the Senate in March and now requires a final Senate nod before being presented to Governor Greg Abbott for his endorsement.
Authored by Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), SB 12 passed with a vote of 88-47 in the House early Sunday, indicating a clear partisan divide with three lawmakers abstaining. Representative Jeff Leach (R-Plano) was instrumental in steering the bill through the House. Among the bill's key measures is an amendment from Rep. Steve Toth (R-Spring) that prohibits schools from assisting children in presenting as a gender different from their biological sex.
Toth expressed his satisfaction with the bill's passage, calling it a triumph of four years of dedicated advocacy. The amendment, he believes, will prevent what he calls the "social transition" of children within educational institutions.
Grassroots Therapists, a Montgomery, Texas-based advocacy group, praised the legislation, highlighting that no previous state law had forbidden aiding minors in social transitioning. The group contends that this practice can lead to irreversible medical treatments and insists that affirming a child's biological sex is the appropriate response to gender confusion.
Apart from the transition ban, SB 12 introduces a comprehensive prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in K-12 education. It prevents race- or gender-based hiring preferences, compelled ideological statements, and any DEI duties that promote specific viewpoints. Violations of these provisions could result in disciplinary actions for district employees, including termination.
The bill also aims to revamp several educational policies to foster greater parental involvement. It mandates school boards to adopt policies that facilitate parent engagement, which includes organizing meetings outside standard work hours and establishing online portals for public commentary. Furthermore, the legislation standardizes student transfer processes to ensure transparency and consistency in open-enrollment and district-to-district transfers.
Central to SB 12 is the principle that parents are the primary decision-makers regarding their children's education. It grants them the authority to choose whether their children participate in programs related to sex education, health services, and biometric data collection. Notably, schools that provide health care to students without parental consent, resulting in bodily injury, could face Class A misdemeanor charges.
Proponents of the bill argue that it safeguards children from ideological indoctrination and enhances family involvement in educational and health decisions. Leach and his supporters believe the bill equips parents with the necessary tools to hold schools accountable.
However, opponents, including Democrats and transgender activists, argue that the bill discriminates against LGBT students and curtails personal freedoms and expression in educational settings.
SB 12 is part of a comprehensive education reform package in Texas that includes a Teacher Bill of Rights, a historic $9 billion public school funding allocation, and the state's inaugural Education Savings Account program—all initiatives backed by Gov. Abbott.
With the House's endorsement of the amendment and the full bill, the legislation is poised to return to the Senate for a conclusive vote. Governor Abbott's signature is anticipated, and upon enactment, SB 12 will mark a significant shift in Texas education policy, spotlighting parental rights and restricting the discussion of gender ideology in public schools.
