SB 12 Passes, Banning Harmful Social Ideologies in Public Schools
Representatives Alan Schoolcraft and Jeff Leach conveyed powerful messages over the weekend in favor of SB 12, which bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives in hiring, training, and curriculum development in K-12 public schools. The bill also prohibits teaching gender identity and sexual orientation unless parents opt their child into sex education. This legislation will reinforce parental control over moral and religious teachings, educational decisions, and medical treatments for their children.
Rep. Schoolcraft referred to pronoun propaganda as “lunacy,” and emphasized the importance of rooting out sexualized clubs that are used to “attack us through our children.” He went on to state that LGBT organizations that infiltrate schools are not just starting social clubs; they intend to fundamentally change this country’s social structure and moral fiber.
Rep. Leach took questions from Rep. Zwiener, who referred to her own sexual orientation during the questioning. Rep. Zweiner asked if the bill had language to deny gay/straight alliance clubs and implied that without these clubs, bullying and discrimination would abound. “We are not going to allow gay clubs or straight clubs,” Rep. Leach responded, adding that it’s not about bullying or hate; we simply do not need school-sponsored sex clubs in our school.
Texas Legislature Protects Children Amid Controversy
Two priority bills aimed at protecting children, SB 13 and HB 4623, passed the Texas Legislature and have been sent to the governor’s desk.
SB 13 establishes several guardrails to protect children in public schools from obscene materials in libraries. This legislation passed despite controversy. Astonishingly, the Texas Freedom Network, a progressive organization, arranged a “Read In” at the Capitol to protest the bill, claiming the bill intended to ban books and discriminate against the LGBT community.
A key moment in the bill’s debate was when Rep. Hillary Hickland reminded Rep. Rosenthal (D), who spoke in opposition, that the books in question would not be “banned” and are available for purchase on Amazon. They would only be removed from locations targeting minors.
Last week, the Senate and House met in a conference committee to discuss this bill. The final version includes an amendment championed by State Rep. Brent Money requiring school boards to create library advisory councils if at least 50 parents within the district petition for them.
The passage of HB 4623 was another win for Texas children. Currently, public schools have sovereign immunity from civil liability in sex abuse cases. Mitch Little’s HB 4623 allows victims of sexual abuse to hold public schools accountable for the misconduct of their employees.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick warned schools that they have no excuse for allowing this behavior, and this bill will lead to more transparency and accountability. Senator Angela Paxton, who championed this bill, explained that in Texas, children’s innocence and school safety are non-negotiable.
PTC is thankful for the passage of these hard-won bills, which take real steps towards protecting children.
Texas Legislature Kills Two Bills that Would Protect Texas Children
Two pieces of PTC priority legislation, HB 3225 and SB 18, died in legislative chambers.
HB 3225, which would have required public libraries to make sexually explicit or age-inappropriate books unavailable to minors, failed in the Senate due to “technical difficulties.” State Republican Executive Committeewoman Christin Bentley emphasized the urgency of passing this bill before time ran out, pointing out that the Senate had been in recess for hours.
Bentley urged, “Texas children can’t wait two more years.” Unfortunately, that is exactly what they will have to do.
In the House, SB 18 would have barred libraries that receive state funds from hosting drag shows and drag queen story hours geared toward minors. This legislation was a priority for Lieutenant Governor Patrick and PTC.
The House killed this bill by placing it at the end of the calendar, where it failed to reach the House floor before midnight, the deadline for considering Senate bills. As a result, children will have to wait two years before there is another opportunity to advance this legislation. This is the second consecutive session in which the Senate passed the bill, only for the House to kill it.
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