Legislation that would overhaul how Texas public schools interact with parents is in danger of dying in the House, even after clearing the Senate nearly two months ago and earning the public backing of Gov. Greg Abbott.
Senate Bill 12, dubbed the “Parental Bill of Rights,” passed the Senate on March 19. But House Speaker Dustin Burrows waited more than a month to refer the legislation to the Public Education Committee, doing so only on April 22.
Since then, the committee has not scheduled it for a hearing. Less than four weeks remain in the legislative session.
The wide-ranging proposal by State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe) would ban instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from pre-K through 12th grade, prohibit school employees from promoting or requiring “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) efforts, and require schools to obtain written parental consent before providing medical or psychological services to students.
It would also strengthen parents’ access to their children’s educational records and create new mechanisms for parents to file grievances, including the option to request an independent hearing examiner in certain cases.
In a post on X Tuesday evening, Abbott urged lawmakers to advance the measure, writing, “No DEI in our classrooms. Let’s get this to my desk and I will sign it into law.”
No DEI in our classrooms.
Let’s get this to my desk and I will sign it into law. https://t.co/o7wBgSmRYe
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 7, 2025
Despite that push, House leadership has not moved the bill forward.
Public Education Committee Chair Brad Buckley (R–Salado) did not respond to a request for comment.
