Overview

• The Texas Senate approved SB 12 by a 77-40 vote on May 31 and the bill now heads to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk with an effective date of September 1, 2025.
• SB 12 prohibits public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools from authorizing or sponsoring any student club based on sexual orientation or gender identity and ends all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
• The measure bars school employees from assisting transgender students with social transitioning and grants parents the right to oversee their child’s moral, religious and medical education decisions.
• Sen. Brandon Creighton described the legislation as the strongest Education Parental Bill of Rights in America, saying it restores parental authority and prevents student sexualization.
• The ACLU of Texas and Democratic lawmakers condemn the law as a form of censorship that threatens LGBTQ+ students’ privacy and could exacerbate mental health risks.