89R15266 RAL-D     By: Lowe H.B. No. 4208       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to including fetal development instruction as part of the   required health curriculum for public school students.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (r-2) to read as follows:          (r-2)  The State Board of Education shall by rule require   students to receive fetal development instruction, including the   humanity of the unborn child and the concept that life begins at   fertilization, as part of the essential knowledge and skills for   the health curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(B) at appropriate   grade levels.  The instruction must include:                (1)  information on:                      (A)  the human reproductive process, pregnancy,   and infertility; and                      (B)  the prevention of birth defects, including   information on the effect of drugs, alcohol, and environmental   hazards such as lead;                (2)  a description of the growth and development of an   unborn child that occur during each trimester of pregnancy;                (3)  to the extent the videos are publicly available, a   showing of the following:                      (A)  LiveAction, Meet Baby Olivia (2025);                      (B)  St. John Paul II Life Center, A Glimpse   Inside (2025); and (2025); and                      (C)  "The Miracle of Life," NOVA (PBS Feb. 15,   1983); and                (4)  the informational materials described by Section   171.014, Health and Safety Code.          SECTION 2.  Section 28.004(c), Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (c)  The local school health advisory council's duties   include recommending:                (1)  the number of hours of instruction to be provided   in:                      (A)  health education in kindergarten through   grade eight; and                      (B)  if the school district requires health   education for high school graduation, health education, including   physical health education and mental health education, in grades 9   through 12;                (2)  policies, procedures, strategies, and curriculum   appropriate for specific grade levels designed to prevent physical   health concerns, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type 2   diabetes, and mental health concerns, including suicide, through   coordination of:                      (A)  health education, which must address   physical health concerns and mental health concerns to ensure the   integration of physical health education and mental health   education;                      (B)  physical education and physical activity;                      (C)  nutrition services;                      (D)  parental involvement;                      (E)  instruction on substance abuse prevention;                      (F)  school health services, including mental   health services;                      (G)  a comprehensive school counseling program   under Section 33.005;                      (H)  a safe and healthy school environment; and                      (I)  school employee wellness;                (3)  appropriate grade levels and methods of   instruction for human sexuality instruction;                (4)  strategies for integrating the curriculum   components specified by Subdivision (2) with the following elements   in a coordinated school health program for the district:                      (A)  school health services, including physical   health services and mental health services, if provided at a campus   by the district or by a third party under a contract with the   district;                      (B)  a comprehensive school counseling program   under Section 33.005;                      (C)  a safe and healthy school environment; and                      (D)  school employee wellness;                (5)  if feasible, joint use agreements or strategies   for collaboration between the school district and community   organizations or agencies;                (6)  strategies to increase parental awareness   regarding:                      (A)  risky behaviors and early warning signs of   suicide risks and behavioral health concerns, including mental   health disorders and substance use disorders; and                      (B)  available community programs and services   that address risky behaviors, suicide risks, and behavioral health   concerns;                (7)  appropriate grade levels and curriculum for   instruction regarding the dangers of opioids, including   instruction on:                      (A)  opioid addiction and abuse, including   addiction to and abuse of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl; and                      (B)  methods of administering an opioid   antagonist, as defined by Section 483.101, Health and Safety Code;   [and]                (8)  appropriate grade levels and curriculum for   instruction regarding child abuse, family violence, dating   violence, and sex trafficking, including likely warning signs that   a child may be at risk for sex trafficking, provided that the local   school health advisory council's recommendations under this   subdivision do not conflict with the essential knowledge and skills   developed by the State Board of Education under this subchapter;   and                (9)  appropriate curriculum for the fetal development   instruction described by Section 28.002(r-2), provided that the   local school health advisory council's recommendations under this   subdivision do not conflict with the essential knowledge and skills   developed by the State Board of Education under this subchapter.          SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 4.  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.