Text of TX HB 344 (2025)

89R480 JTZ-F By: Tepper H.B. No. 344 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a prohibition on instruction and certain activities regarding sexual orientation or gender identity provided or allowed by a public school. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 28.0041 to read as follows: Sec. 28.0041. PROHIBITION ON INSTRUCTION AND CERTAIN ACTIVITIES REGARDING SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a school district, open-enrollment charter school, or district or charter school employee may not provide or allow a third party to provide instruction, guidance, activities, or programming regarding sexual orientation or gender identity to students enrolled in prekindergarten through 12th grade. (b) This section may not be construed to limit: (1) a student's ability to engage in speech or expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or by Section 8, Article I, Texas Constitution, that does not result in material disruption to school activities; or (2) the ability of a person who is authorized by the district or school to provide physical or mental health-related services to provide the services to a student, subject to any required parental consent. 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.