Six New Laws Are Reshaping Texas Classrooms Starting Today

As of today, 6 new school policies have been signed into law and passed by the Texas Legislature. Texan classrooms are changing starting today—new laws are now transforming what students see, read, have access to, and even what kind of religious beliefs students are exposed to. With these laws taking effect today, Texas classrooms starting this week will set a precedent that could ripple far beyond Texas.

On September 1, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 10, 11, 2, 12, 13 and HB 229.

Here's a summary of each bill:

Senate Bill 10:

Requires every public school classroom to display a minimum 16” x 20” framed or posted copy of the Ten Commandments found in the Bible—containing only text specified by law. Schools must accept privately donated compliant posters and can purchase copies through district funds.

Senate Bill 11:

Enables school districts to allow a voluntary period during the school day for students to pray or read religious texts.

Senate Bill 2:

Creates an Education Saving Account (ESA) program funded by the state, for families to use to purchase school-related goods and expenses. The Texas Comptroller‘s office will oversee this program and distribute funds.

Senate Bill 12-

Bans:

DEI-related training or programs in K-12 public schools, unless federally required. LGBTQ+ clubs, and any clubs based on sexual orientation. Considering race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation in the school hiring process

Senate Bill 13:

Establishes parental oversight of library materials. Now, local advisory councils, made primarily of parents, review all books for school libraries.

House Bill 229:

A biological sex law that mandates gender based on reproductive traits.

Critics:

Many critics voice that SB 10 violates the 1st Amendment Establishment Clause by promoting a specific religion and religious trait over others. Federal lawsuits argue that it forces students to be exposed to one type of religious belief, which leads to other students being excluded. Critics say even voluntary religious prayer leads to peer pressure for being under-zealous. Laws discriminating against LGBTQ+ students belittle discussions on equality and inclusion. Though many encourage parental oversight of library books, others state this may lead to censorship and overburden school boards. HB 229 has caused uproar as it erases the identities of transgender and LGBTQ+ students, restricting students to only 2.