The Texas Legislature meets for 140 days in odd numbered years. The next legislative session begins January 11, 2011. Issues concerning sex education and teen pregnancy are among the most talked-about topics.
Education Works Coalition partner organizations stand by our principles of supporting efforts to improve sex education in Texas by ensuring that curricula are age-appropriate, medically accurate, and based on methods proven through research to change behavior, reducing teen pregnancy and STIs.
To prepare for 2011, we are currently reviewing the achievements of the last legislative session.
HB 741/SB 515 The Education Works Act would have required that if Texas schools choose to teach sex education, they must present medically-accurate, age-appropriate information, including information about abstinence, contraception, effective communication, responsible decision-making, and what it really takes to be a parent. HB 741 received a hearing in the House Public Education Committee, but despite the best efforts of supporters, it did not move after that. SB 515 did not receive a hearing.
HB 1371 Would have required that Texas refuse federal funds dedicated to abstinence-only sex education. This bill did not receive a hearing.
HB 1567/ SB 1076 Would have required instruction on contraceptive use to be scientifically accurate when it is taught as part of a school's sexual health curriculum. It would also prohibit schools from discouraging the use of contraceptives. HB 1567 was left pending in committee. SB 1076 did not receive a hearing.
HB 1694/ SB 1100 The Prevention Works Act would have required that if Texas schools choose to teach sex education, they must present medically-accurate information. It would also require schools to notify parents of the content of their sex education curriculum. While neither HB 1694 nor SB 1100 received public hearings, the "Parents' Right to Know" provision was amended onto another education related bill, SB 283, which passed and was signed into law.
Watch this space to stay informed about the progress of this legislation.
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