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what's new in texas policy

SB 12: What Schools and Families Need to Know

Texas lawmakers recently passed Senate Bill 12 (SB 12), a broad new law impacting many aspects of K–12 public and charter education across the state. The Governor is expected to sign the bill into law, with implementation anticipated for the 2025–2026 school year.

SB 12 provisions include the following:

- Sex Education: Reinstates opt-in requirements, prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity, and extends sex education laws to charter schools and districts of innovation.
- Parental Access & Consent: Increases parent access to student records and requires consent for participation in school clubs, surveys, and some services.
- Other impacts: Broadly prohibits DEI in public and charter schools.

At [Healthy Futures of Texas]([link removed]), we’re working to support schools, caregivers, and health professionals in understanding these updates. Stay tuned for more resources and an invitation to our upcoming [89th Legislative Session Updates Webinar]([link removed]), where we’ll break down what these changes mean for adolescent health programming in Texas.

HB 2159: Supporting Teen Parents’ Access to Care

Texas has more teen parents than any other state in the nation, and consistently has one of the highest rates of repeat teen birth. A teen parent in Texas has the right and responsibility of making medical decisions for her baby, but under state law she isn’t allowed to consent to her own health care.

This session, Healthy Futures of Texas collaborated with our partners at [Every Body Texas]([link removed]) to advance a bill that would empower young parents to consent to health care. HB 2159, filed by Rep. Erin Gamez, passed the house with a strong bipartisan vote of 115-25, but unfortunately stalled in the Senate. We are so grateful to Rep. Gamez for her tireless work on this bill, and are excited to continue our advocacy in a future legislative session.

event highlights

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Advancing Health Together at the 2025 Annual Symposium

Earlier this month, Healthy Futures of Texas hosted our [14th Annual Symposium]([link removed]), bringing together educators, public health professionals, and community leaders from across Texas to explore pressing issues in sexual and reproductive health.

This year’s event also marked the launch of our collaboration with [Trust Her]([link removed]), an initiative of the [Child Poverty Action Lab]([link removed]) (CPAL), to expand the topics covered in the conference to include both adolescent and women’s health.

Participants engaged in thoughtful dialogue around current challenges, promising practices, and the future of health education and access in our state. We were also proud to honor a group of outstanding leaders whose work is advancing health and opportunity for Texans:

- Community Partner Award: [Dallas College Health Services & Promotion]([link removed]) — accepted by Luz Gonzalez
- Changemaker Awards: Kentoria Roberson-White, Micaela Sanchez, and Dr. Taibat Eribo
- Rising Star Award: Trevon Oliver

Their vision, commitment, and leadership are helping shape a healthier future for all.

Our awardees were also featured in the Dallas Voice! [Read the article here.]([link removed])

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors and attendees who made this event possible. We look forward to continuing these conversations at our 2026 Healthy Futures of Texas Annual Symposium.

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Legislative Update Webinar

Join us for a free webinar on legislative updates impacting health education and young people in Texas.

We’ll review key bills from the 89th Legislative Session and explore how recent changes affect health education statewide.

This session will also provide practical tools and strategies to help you advocate for stronger, more effective health education policies.

This webinar is ideal for educators, advocates, and community members committed to improving health education in Texas. [Reserve your spot now!]([link removed])

🗓 June 26, 2025 12 PM – 1 PM CST

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Get Ready for the 8th Annual South Texas Summit!

We’re gearing up for the [8th Annual South Texas Adolescent Health Summit]([link removed]), bringing together youth-serving professionals from the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

🗓 August 27, 2025 – In person at the Mission Event Center

🗓 August 28, 2025 – Virtual

Join us for expert-led sessions on adolescent development, youth-friendly care, and positive youth development, with both in-person and virtual options available.

CE credits will be offered for multiple disciplines, and attendees will gain access to practical tools and valuable networking opportunities. The full agenda is coming soon.

Learn more [here]([link removed]) about the event. Interested in sponsoring, exhibiting, or presenting a session? Contact Melanie Chasteen at [email protected].

school district opportunity

[UTHealth School of Public Health]([link removed]) is launching a new study this fall to evaluate how effective the [iCHAMPSS]([link removed]) platform is in helping schools adopt and sustain evidence-based sexual health programs, and your district could play a key role.

Healthy Futures of Texas, through our [Texas Is Ready]([link removed]) initiative, is proud to support recruitment for this important research, which will focus on ESC Regions 1, 2, and 20.

Participating districts will receive:

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Free access to over 60 resources for implementing sexual health education

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Expert guidance and technical support

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$25 compensation for each survey or interview completed

We’re seeking District Coordinators, including SHAC Co-Chairs, Health/Wellness Leads, or other administrators, who are committed to improving health education and can help coordinate study activities using the iCHAMPSS platform.

This is a great opportunity to strengthen your district’s approach to sexual health education while contributing to meaningful statewide research.

Interested or want to learn more? Contact Ana Belén Zelaya at [email protected].

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Healthy Futures of Texas

Headquarters:
2300 W. Commerce Street, Ste. 212
San Antonio, Texas 78207

Dallas Office:
2816 Swiss Ave.
Dallas, Texas 75204

Austin Office:
314 E Highland Mall Blvd. #402
Austin, Texas 78752

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[email protected] / 210.223.4589

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