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, 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, where we’ll break down what these changes mean for adolescent health programming in Texas.

This session, Healthy Futures of Texas collaborated with our partners at Every Body Texas 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. 

Earlier this month, Healthy Futures of Texas hosted our 14th Annual Symposium, 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, an initiative of the Child Poverty Action Lab (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 — 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.

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.

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

🗓 June 26, 2025 12 PM – 1 PM CST

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 about the event. Interested in sponsoring, exhibiting, or presenting a session? Contact Melanie Chasteen at mchasteen@healthyfutures-tx.org.

Participating districts will receive:

• Free access to over 60 resources for implementing sexual health education

• Expert guidance and technical support

• $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 azelaya@healthyfutures-tx.org.