Bills List: Stop Sexualizing Texas Kids
The Montgomery County Republican Party’s Legislative Committee monitors Legislative Priority bills and sends emails to keep you informed when action is needed. Subscribe today by clicking below!
Priority Bills Passed:
HB 900 - Signed into law, becomes effective Sept. 1. The Reader Bill, which proposes a solution to the problem of pornographic materials in our children’s school libraries. A strong bill with a mechanism to remove sexually explicit materials, a clear definition of those materials, and standards for school libraries that include enforcement measures. Montgomery County Legislators - Coauthors: Representatives Bailes, Bell, Metcalf, and Toth. Cosponsors: Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, & Kolkhorst.
HB 1181 - Signed into law, becomes effective Sept. 1. Relating to access to sexually explicit material on the Internet or electronic devices; providing civil penalties. Montgomery County Legislators - Cosponsors: Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, & Kolkhorst.
HB 1227 - Signed into law, becomes effective Sept. 1. Relating to changing the eligibility for community supervision of a person convicted of possession or promotion of child pornography. Montgomery County Legislators - Author: Representative Metcalf. Coauthor: Representative Toth. Sponsor: Senator Bettencourt.
HB 1769 - Signed into law, becomes effective Sept. 1. Changes the statute of limitations on certain offenses against children. Montgomery County Legislators - Author: Representative Metcalf.
HB 2700 - Signed into law, becomes effective Sept. 1. Relating to prosecution of certain criminal offenses prohibiting sexually explicit visual material involving children.
HB 4520 - Signed into law, becomes effective Sept. 1. Relating to employment and retirement consequences for an educator convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for the sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to a minor. Montgomery County Legislators - Coauthor: Representative Metcalf. Sponsor: Senator Bettencourt.
SB 12 - Signed into law, becomes effective Sept. 1. Protecting children from sexual performances, banning drag queen shows for children. Montgomery County Legislators - Coauthors: Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, & Kolkhorst. Sponsor: Representative Metcalf. Cosponsors: Representatives Bell and Toth.
SB 1527 - Signed into law, becomes effective Sept. 1. Relating to human trafficking, including the prosecution and punishment of compelling and solicitation of prostitution and other sexual or assaultive offenses; increasing a criminal penalty; creating a criminal offense.
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Bills that passed both the House & Senate.
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Update: Passed the House, heard in Senate Education Committee on 05/17/23, click here for background, passed out of committee with substitutions on 05/19, placed on intent calendar for 05/21, passed to 3rd reading on 05/23/23, passed the Senate on 05/23, sent to the governor on 05/26, signed by the governor on 06/13, effective 09/01.
May 22 Update: Will Senate Vote On Bill To Ban Porn in School Libraries?
Although HB 900 was on the Senate Intent Calendar yesterday, the bill was not taken up. It will likely be brought up today, but there is no way to know just when. This is the last week of the session.
Click here if you’d like to check in and watch.
HB 900 - This legislation by Representative Jared Patterson of District 106 is a strong bill with a mechanism to remove sexually explicit materials, a clear definition of those materials, and standards for school libraries. It includes enforcement measures for vendors who will be unable to sell to Texas schools if found in violation of the law.
HB 900 is a top priority of the Republican Party of Texas Legislative Priorities Committee.
In the Public Education Committee hearing, there were 364 pages of comments from the grassroots on this legislation. This demonstrates again that your emails, phone calls and public comments DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
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Updates: Passed the House. Passed the Senate on 05/19, sent to the Governor on 05/30, signed by the Governor on 06/12. Becomes effective on 09/01.
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Update: Passed the House, referred to Senate Criminal Justice Committee on 04/25/23, scheduled for public hearing on 05/19, out of committee on 05/19, placed on Senate Local & Uncontested Calendar for 05/23, passed the Senate on 05/24, sent to the Governor on 05/28, signed into law, becomes effective 09/01.
HB 1227 - Filed by Rep. Metcalf and co-authored by Rep. Toth.
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Update: Passed the House, scheduled for public hearing in Senate Criminal Justice Committee on 05/16, passed the Senate on 05/19, sent to Governor on 05/24, signed by Governor on 06/10, becomes effective 09/01.
HB 1769 - Does it seem that crimes against children are on the rise? They are hard to fathom and it’s harder yet to fathom when criminals get a pass because their victims are too young and fragile to endure the process of prosecution.
Representative Morgan Meyer of Austin, District 108, is the author of the bill and has a history of advocacy for victims of human trafficking.
The list of crimes against children with accompanying changes is too exhaustive to summarize here, but those interested in details can refer to the bill here.
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Update: Passed the House, referred to Senate Criminal Justice Committee on 05/05/23, passed out of committee on 05/17, placed on Senate local & uncontested calendar for May 21, passed the Senate on 05/22, sent to the Governor on 05/26. Signed by the Governor on 06/12, becomes effective 09/01.
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Updates: Signed by the Governor, becomes effective 09/01.
HB 4520 - Educator employment and retirement consequences for selling, distributing, or displaying harmful materials to children.
This is a Republican Party of Texas Priority Bill.
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Legislative Update - SB 12
Progress: Passed the Senate, public hearing held in House State Affairs Committee on 05/10, passed committee on 05/12, placed on House Major State Calendar for 05/19, passed the House on 05/22, sent to the Governor on 05/29, signed into law on Fathers Day, 06/18.
Bill To Ban Drag Shows for Kids Finally Gets House Vote
At last, the bill to protect children from sexually explicit performances received a House vote and passed with 88 for, 12 against and 42 (Democrats) voting ‘present, not voting’. Interesting.
Original post:
Do you want to watch the Texas GOP Representatives try to get SB 12 over the legislative finish line for a gubernatorial signature?
The opposition has engaged in the practice of trying to stop our legislative priorities by either raising Points of Order to get it kicked off of the House Calendar or proposing amendments that would water down the bills or both. It’s an interesting exercise in persistence and resistance.
The only catch is you have to watch and wait through the rest of the House business to get to it. Click here if you’d like to check in.
SB 12 by State Senator Bryan Hughes of District 1 would restrict sexually explicit drag performances on public property and in front of a child, “restricting certain sexually oriented performances on public property, on the premises of a commercial enterprise, or in the presence of a child; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.”
Why is this so important to those who promote these performances that they would go to such lengths to preserve their ability to do so?
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Updates:
SB 1562 - Passed the Senate, referred to House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on 04/17/23.
SB 1527 - Signed into law, effective 09/01/23.
The anti-grooming language of SB 1562 was absorbed into SB 1527, which is a bill intended to strengthen state and local efforts to prevent human trafficking.
More details are provided in this Texas Scorecard article by Erin Anderson.
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Thank you for contacting elected officials and taking action on behalf of these bills. The Democrats are very organized, make many phone calls, and show up in large numbers in person. We must do the same to support our Republicans.
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Update: Left pending in House Public Education Committee on 03/28/23.
HB 1507 - This bill would prohibit school programs celebrating or providing instruction regarding sexual preference. This is a Republican Party of Texas Priority Bill.
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Update: House Public Education Committee has made no movement on this bill.
HB 1655 - Rep. Jared Patterson has filed an excellent bill that partially addresses the Republican Party of Texas’s “Stop Sexualizing Texas Kids” priority.
HB 1655 creates mandated library standards in Texas public schools. Currently, we have guidelines only, and no mandated standards.
Included in the standards HB 1655 would impose is prohibiting schools from possessing, acquiring, and distributing library materials rated sexually explicit, and materials considered harmful to minors, as defined in 43.24 of Texas Penal Code.
Materials that are “sexually relevant material”, i.e., not sexually explicit, but may have references to human sexuality included, would require parental consent.
The bill would be enforced by imposing penalties on vendors who distribute explicit books to public schools. Similar enforcement measures are used in the entertainment industry, and have proven to be very effective. This enforcement measure also reduces fiscal impact on the state.
Rep. Patterson’s is the first bill of its kind protecting Texas kids from sexualization through the prohibition of sexually explicit library materials in schools. We applaud Rep. Patterson for this exceptionally strong bill which should be a model for the whole country.
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Update: Placed on General State Calendar for 05/11/23, has not received a vote as of 05/22.
HB 3570 - State Rep. Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth) and Terri Leo Wilson (R-Galveston) have filed HB 3570, which would force websites with pornographic content to implement age restrictions, verifiable by a state-issued ID and allow parents to sue sites that don’t comply.
This isn’t just about sparing kids from salacious material. According to Texas Scorecard, the American College of Pediatrics found in a study of young adults’ pornography consumption:
Male subjects demonstrated increased callousness toward women.
Subjects considered the crime of rape less serious.
Subjects were more accepting of non-marital sexual activity and non-coital sexual practices such as oral and anal sex.
Subjects became more interested in more extreme and deviant forms of pornography.
Subjects were more likely to say they were dissatisfied with their sexual partner.
Subjects were more accepting of sexual infidelity in a relationship.
Subjects valued marriage less and were twice as likely to believe marriage may become obsolete.
Men experienced a decreased desire for children, and women experienced a decreased desire to have a daughter.
Subjects showed a greater acceptance of female promiscuity.Who Represents Me?
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Update: Passed the Senate, referred to House State Affairs Committee on 04/24/23.
SB 13 - The bill requires that parents have access to all school records for their children, including “records relating to school library materials the child obtains from a school library.” Under this bill, at the beginning of each year, the school district would be required to give parents the option to be notified, by email, EACH time a child obtains materials from the library.
The bill amends Section 33.021 of the Education Code and states the Texas State Library Archives Commission shall submit proposed standards for library services to the State Board of Education. These standards MUST include a “collection development policy” and must prohibit the retention of harmful materials. Additionally, they must comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act.
Under this legislation, the Board of Trustees of each district SHALL establish a local school advisory council to “assist the district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in each school library catalog.”
And the district MUST consider the recommendations of the local school library advisory council before making changes to a school library catalog.
Montgomery County Rep. Steve Toth (HD 15) has submitted HB 5251 to match SB 13 in the Senate by Senator Angela Paxton (SD 8). SB 13 is co-authored by our own Senator Brandon Creighton (SD 4) and Senator Paul Bettencourt (SD 7).
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Updates:
HB 5251 - Sitting in House State Affairs Committee since 03/24/23.
SB 13 - Passed the Senate, sitting in House State Affairs Committee since 04/24/23.
HB 5251 & SB 13 - We have all heard about the interactions at school board meetings regarding some of the books available to our children in school libraries. In some areas of the country, we have seen parents whose microphones are silenced when they try to read from some of those books. We have heard from well-organized opponents that we are over-reacting, closed-minded, unrealistic and conspiracy theorists.
Montgomery County Representative Steve Toth (HD 15) has submitted HB 5251 to match SB 13 in the Senate by Senator Angela Paxton (SD 8). SB 13 is co-authored by our own Senator Brandon Creighton (SD 4) and Senator Paul Bettencourt (SD 7).
The bill requires that parents have access to all school records for their children, including “records relating to school library materials the child obtains from a school library.” Under this bill, at the beginning of each year, the school district would be required to give parents the option to be notified, by email, EACH time a child obtains materials from the library.
The bill amends Section 33.021 of the Education Code and states the Texas State Library Archives Commission shall submit proposed standards for library services to the State Board of Education. These standards MUST include a “collection development policy” and must prohibit the retention of harmful materials. Additionally, they must comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act.
Under this legislation, the Board of Trustees of each district SHALL establish a local school advisory council to “assist the district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in each school library catalog.”
And the district MUST consider the recommendations of the local school library advisory council before making changes to a school library catalog.
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Update: Passed the Senate, scheduled for public hearing in House Public Education Committee on 05/09/23, left pending in committee on 05/09/23, passed out of committee on 05/16, sent to Calendars on 05/19, placed on General State Calendar for 05/23.
SB 163 by Senator Donna Campbell of District 25 would change your child’s participation requirement in sex education from an opt-out to opt-in.
Campbell explains her bill in her bill analysis. “Current legislation requires school districts to notify parents or guardians of their right to opt their child into sexual education courses. Previously the burden was on the parent to submit to the school their wish to opt their child out of sexual education courses.”
It is important to note that the course in question is not sex education, but sexuality education. The bill has already passed in the Senate.
If you do not want your child to be instructed by our schools on human sexuality, please leave your comments at the following link so that they may be heard and entered into the record.
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Update: Passed the Senate, referred to House Youth Health & Safety, Select Committee on 05/06/23.
SB 1031 - How do you feel about your local schools conducting or allowing third parties to conduct surveys on your children’s sexual behavior? Would that be inappropriate? Intrusive? Offensive?
This legislation is authored by Senator Bob Hall of Edgewood (SD-2).
Statement from Senator Hall:
“Government funded studies on minors’ sexual behaviors are being conducted without parental consent. In 2017, Columbia University tested the MyPEEPS mobile app with young men aged 13-18 in New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; and Birmingham, AL; and paid participants up to $275. The study had 764 participants and was completed in June 2021.
“Researchers asked children as young as 13 about their sex partners, frequency and type of sexual activity, and about their use of STD prevention methods. This was done without parents’ knowledge. In fact, the researchers specifically stated that parents knowing about their youth’s activity would hamper their research efforts.
“These efforts were continued through June 2021, with different versions of the MyPEEPS app. Enrollment was promoted on social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
“This bill would prohibit any survey or study of minors’ sexual behaviors or activities from taking place in public schools, regardless of the entity conducting the research.
“SB 1031 would prohibit public universities in Texas from conducting research on sexual practices of children, and in all other instances, would require written parental consent for any sex study on a minor.
“SB 1031 creates a civil and criminal penalty, and requires mandatory reporting of any allegations of abuse or neglect to the Department of Family and Protective Services.
“As proposed, SB 1031 amends current law relating to studies or surveys on children’s sexual behavior conducted at or by a public primary or secondary school, a public institution of higher education, a prescription drug manufacturer, a research entity, or another person, creates criminal offenses, and imposes civil penalties.”
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Update: Passed the Senate, referred to House Public Education Committee on May 6.
SB 1072 by Senator Bryan Hughes of District 1 authored this bill to ensure parents are involved in the curriculum review process and that their rights are respected.
The bill requires public schools to adopt a policy regarding when an employee may discuss human sexuality with a student outside of a class dedicated to human sexuality instruction.
It also requires a public school to adopt a policy on when extracurricular events related to human sexuality may be held and authorizes the Attorney General or county or district attorney to bring a cause of action that is violating provisions of the Education Code relating to local health advisory councils and health education. -
Update: Passed the Senate, referred to House State Affairs Committee on 04/17/23.
SB 1601 - In another attempt to deal with ‘Drag Queen Story Hours’ held at public libraries in Texas, SB 1601 seeks to deny funding to libraries that host such events.
In his statement of intent, Hughes said, “In recent years a national 501c(3) called "Drag Queen Story Hour" has begun to encourage and host events in libraries across the country. Several municipal libraries in Texas have hosted such events.
“The state provides public money and grants to municipal libraries. SB 1601 would deny state funding to municipal libraries that host drag story hours or otherwise host events where persons presenting as the opposite sex read books to children for entertainment.
“As proposed, SB 1601 amends current law relating to prohibiting municipal libraries that host certain events from receiving state funding.”
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Updates:
SB 2021 - Passed the Senate, House Youth Health & Safety Committee sent to Calendars on 05/04/23, placed on House General State Calendar for 05/23.
HB 3570 - Placed on General State Calendar for May 11, has not received a vote as of 05/22.
It appears that this pair of similar bills will get floor votes, as both were favorably reported out of committee and placed on the intent calendar. SB 2021 by Senator Angela Paxton of District 8 and HB 3570 by Representative Nate Schatzline of District 93, both deal with restricting internet access by minors to sexually explicit content online.
We will be looking out for the date of those votes, but it is not too soon to contact your legislators and encourage them to support these bills. -
Update: Passed the Senate, referred to House Public Education Committee on 04/28/23.
SJR 29 - Calls for a constitutional amendment establishing the right of parents to direct their children’s education.
Paxton’s summary of the bill states, “In choosing a professional educator to facilitate their child's education, parents do not cede their right to educate their child. Therefore, the right of parents to be the ultimate decider of their child's education should be enumerated in the Texas Constitution.
“This proposes a constitutional amendment to be decided upon on the November 2023 ballot. Texas voters may vote for or against the proposition which shall read: "The constitutional amendment establishing a parent's rights to direct a child's education.”
Parental rights listed in S.J.R. 29 include the right to direct the education of the parent's child, such as to:
• Make choices within the public school system, or to choose an alternative educational setting, including private, parochial, or home school;
• Access and view instructional materials and library books;
• Attend meetings of a public school's governing body; and
• Access the public school's records regarding their child, including the child's health records.
Should parents have the right to direct their children’s education? Many school board members and education professionals think not. But the issue is important enough to demand that it be a right to do so and that voters should have the right to decide.
Click here to view bills filed by your state legislators during the 88th Texas Legislative Session, and to look up how your legislators voted on issues important to you.
Senator Brandon Creighton (SD 4)
(512) 463-0104 (Austin Office)
(281) 292-4128 (District Office)
Send an email
Senator Paul Bettencourt (SD 7)
(512) 463-0107 (Austin Office)
(713) 464-0282 (District Office)
Send an email
Senator Lois Kolkhorst (SD 18)
(512) 463-0118 (Austin Office)
(979) 251-7888 (District Office)
Send an email
Rep. Cecil Bell (HD 3)
(512) 463-0650 (Austin office)
(281) 259-3700 (District office)
Send an email
Rep. Steve Toth (HD 15)
(512) 463-0797 (Austin office)
(346) 220-0300 (District office)
Send an email
Rep. Will Metcalf (HD 16)
(512) 463-0726 (Austin office)
(936) 539-0068 (District office)
Send an email
Rep. Ernest Bailes (HD 18)
(512) 463-0570 (Austin office)
(936) 628-6687 (District office)
Send an email
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