Shofner Fetal Development Bill Also Steers Students To Faith-Based Groups

The text as introduced · 273 words

89R13861 KRM-D

By: Shofner
H.B. No. 3739

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to fetal development instruction included as part of the

public school health curriculum in certain grade levels.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (r-1) to read as follows:

(r-1) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules

requiring students enrolled in grades 7 through 12 to receive

instruction on fetal development and the consequences of fetal

termination as part of the essential knowledge and skills for the

health curriculum required under Subsection (a)(2)(B). The

instruction must include:

(1) information on and depictions of:

(A) medically assisted fetal termination

procedures, including the use of abortion-inducing drugs, as

defined by Section 171.061, Health and Safety Code;

(B) other acts of intentional or negligent fetal

termination, including termination resulting from the adverse

effects of drugs and alcohol; and

(C) the growth and development of an unborn child

that occur during each week of pregnancy; and

(2) information on pregnancy-related resources

available to students, including resources provided by local

faith-based organizations, that:

(A) support carrying a child to term; and

(B) are not associated with an organization that

provides or advocates for fetal termination procedures.

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.