The Texas House has approved a sweeping education package known as the “Parental Bill of Rights,” aimed at affirming the authority of parents in public education.
Senate Bill 12, authored by State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe) and carried in the House by State Rep. Jeff Leach (R–Allen), reflects a negotiated compromise between the House and Senate but ultimately leans heavily on House-added provisions that restrict what schools can do without parental involvement.
The legislation would ban instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from pre-K through 12th grade, as well as prohibit school employees from promoting or requiring “diversity, equity, and inclusion” efforts.
One of the most controversial aspects of the final bill is its ban on school-sponsored “sex clubs” based on sexual identity, including Gay-Straight Alliances. Leach defended the provision during debate, saying the goal is to keep sexuality out of the classroom and extracurriculars alike.
“We’re not going to allow gay clubs, and we’re not going to allow straight clubs,” said Leach. “We shouldn’t be sexualizing our kids in public schools, period, and we shouldn’t have clubs based on sex.”
When challenged by Democrat lawmakers who said such clubs offer a safe space for LGBTQ students, Leach responded by saying, “We do not need to have school-sponsored and school-sanctioned sex clubs, period.”
“Doesn’t mean that students have to hide who they are. Doesn’t mean that we believe in bullying or discrimination. I think our public schools should be places where hate is not fostered. I stand firmly against all of that,” he added.
State Rep. Alan Schoolcraft (R–McQueeney) in his closing remarks supporting the bill took aim at the organizations—GSA and GLSEN—planting these clubs in schools.
“These two organizations are not about social clubs, they’re about efforts to fundamentally change our social structure and the moral fiber of this country. They’re doing it through these clubs and they’re using it to attack us through our children. This bill will stop that,” said Schoolcraft.
The final bill also bars school employees from aiding students in socially transitioning to their preferred gender identity without parental consent, known as social transitioning, thanks to a amendment by State Rep. Steve Toth (R–Conroe).
“Parents are the ultimate decision-makers in the lives of their children,” said Toth in a press release. “With SB 12, we are restoring that fundamental truth in Texas law. My amendment makes it clear that no school district employee may facilitate or encourage a child’s social transition behind a parent’s back.”
Toth’s amendment explicitly prohibits public school personnel from using alternate names, pronouns, or gender-based identifiers for a child without express parental permission.
The agreed-to version of the bill also establishes:
- A formal grievance and appeals process, allowing parents to take unresolved complaints to the Education Commissioner.
- Oversight by the State Board of Education for districts that receive five or more grievances in a school year.
- Carve-outs to protect organizations like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from being unintentionally restricted.
- Clarifications that the bill does not prohibit contracts with historically underutilized or women-owned businesses.
Having now passed both chambers, SB 12 will head to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott, who has indicated he will sign it.
