Happy Monday! Most people never actually read any bills, so here’s your chance to see a key section for yourself of a particularly horrible one. Scroll below to read this together with detailed instructions, compliments of @txstudentsfordei on Instagram, on what you can do to speak up against this bill, including signing up to testify on Tuesday morning.
The essence of SB 12 is both simple and chilling: it seeks to eliminate virtually all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts in Texas public schools, offering only a few token exceptions. If SB 3 from the last session was vague and burdensome, SB 12 is more direct and more dangerous, targeting any K–12 initiative that dares to center equity, identity, or belonging.
Let’s be clear: this is a thinly veiled attack on Ethnic Studies, as well as anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ—and on every educator, ally, student, and community member committed to truth, dignity, and educational justice.
And here’s the glaring contradiction: According to the Texas Education Agency Enrollment in Texas public schools, 2022–23 (2023) data, Black and Brown children now make up the majority (66 %) of students in Texas public schools—a demographic reality that will only continue to grow.
I plan to testify tomorrow, May 13th, on behalf of Texas LULAC against SB 12. I hope you’ll be there with us—testifying, supporting, or just being present.
The underlined text reflects proposed changes to the Texas Education Code—and unless we speak out, these changes could become law.
SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 11, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 11.005 to read as follows:
Sec. 11.005. PROHIBITION ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION DUTIES. (a) In this section, "diversity, equity, and inclusion duties" means:
(1) influencing hiring or employment practices with respect to race, sex, color, or ethnicity except as necessary to comply with state or federal antidiscrimination laws;
(2) promoting differential treatment of or providing special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, color, or ethnicity;
(3) developing or implementing policies, procedures, trainings, activities, or programs that reference race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation except as necessary to comply with state or federal law; and
(4) compelling, requiring, inducing, or soliciting any person to provide a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or giving preferential consideration to any person based on the provision of a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement.
(b) Except as required by state or federal law, a school district:
(1) may not assign diversity, equity, and inclusion duties to any person; and
(2) shall prohibit a district employee, contractor, or volunteer from engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion duties at, for, or on behalf of the district.
(c) A school district shall adopt a policy and procedure for the appropriate discipline, including termination, of a district employee or contractor who intentionally or knowingly engages in or assigns to another person diversity, equity, and inclusion duties. The district shall provide a physical and electronic copy of the policy and procedure to each district employee or contractor.
(d) Nothing in this section may be construed to:
(1) limit or prohibit a school district from acknowledging or teaching the significance of state and federal holidays or commemorative months and how those holidays or months fit into the themes of history and the stories of this state and the United States of America in accordance with the essential knowledge and skills adopted under Subchapter A, Chapter 28;
(2) affect a student's rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Section 8, Article I, Texas Constitution;
(3) limit or prohibit a school district from analyzing school-based causes and taking steps to eliminate unlawful discriminatory practices as necessary to address achievement gaps and differentials described by Section 39.053; or
(4) apply to:
(A) classroom instruction that is consistent with the essential knowledge and skills adopted by the State Board of Education;
(B) the collection, monitoring, or reporting of data;
(C) a policy, practice, procedure, program, or activity intended to enhance student academic achievement or postgraduate outcomes that is designed and implemented without regard to race, sex, color, or ethnicity; or
(D) a student club that is in compliance with the requirements of Section 33.0815.
05/08 - SB 12
89TH LEGE ADVO TOOLKIT
Updated May 11, 2025 12:00 PM CST
On May 6, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott urged Senator Creighton and the Texas Legislature to pass Senate Bill 12 in Texas K-12 classrooms. As hearing deadlines approach for the 89th Texas Legislative Session, lawmakers are scrambling to fulfill priorities of Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. Senate Bill 12 is an anti-DEI, anti-LGBTQIA+, and anti-student protection bill under the facade of “parent rights.” On Tuesday, May 13th at 8 AM, the House Public Education Committee will hear Senate Bill 12.
DATE: Tuesday, May 13th, 2025
TIME: 8:00 AM CST
LOCATION: John H Reagan Building, (1400 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701) - Building Access Help
ROOM: JHR 140
** Note: On the hearing notice, Chairman Brad Buckly can cut and limit testimony if he thinks the hearing will go into the next calendar day. Please arrive before 8:00 AM to register. If you cannot arrive before 8:00 AM, please email txstudentsfordei@gmail.com.
CALL OR EMAIL THE MEMBERS
Office | Phone Number | |
Brad Buckley (Chair) | (512) 463-0684 | |
Diego Bernal (Vice Chair) | (512) 463-0532 | |
Alma Allen | (512) 463-0744 | |
Trent Ashby | (512) 463-0508 | |
John Bryant | (512) 463-0576 | |
Charles Cunningham | (512) 463-0520 | |
Harold V Dutton, Jr. | (512) 463-0510 | |
James B Frank | (512) 463-0534 | |
Gina Hinojosa | (512) 463-0668 | |
Todd Hunter | (512) 463-0672 | |
Helen Kerwin | (512) 463-0538 | |
Jeff Leach | (512) 463-0544 | |
Terri Leo-Wilson | (512) 463-0502 | |
Alan Schoolcraft | (512) 463-0602 | |
James Talarico | (512) 463-0821 |
2. TESTIFY IN-PERSON OR SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY
WRITTEN:
There’s no limit on the length of written testimonies. Please submit written testimony here.
AND
In the House, Texas residents are allowed to provide written comments via online portal from anywhere. We encourage you to submit a written comment AGAINST S.B. 12.
TESTIFY: We encourage you to write out your testimony before the hearing! Testimonies read out loud should be two-minutes to be read to the committee during the hearing. However, written testimonies do not have any page or word limit. To get an idea of what to write about, please see these testimony guides:
For in-person, individuals can write out and read their testimonies. If you are providing a written testimony, please bring 15 copies for the members and their staff.
Please go here to watch the livestream of the Texas House. Tweet or DM us at at @txstudentsforDEI for the commentary and any questions you may have.
SPREAD THE WORD
Reach out to your friends, fellow students, colleagues - anyone who cares about higher education in Texas - to get them involved! There’s a template below to get you started.
Hey! The Texas House is holding a public hearing on SB 12, an anti-LGBTQIA+, anti-DEI, and anti-student protection bill under the guise of “parental rights.” We need more students to get involved in this legislative advocacy and to share their stories. Are you interested in getting involved. It won’t take more than 10 minutes of your time! Here’s the link: www.tinyurl.com/legetoolkit.
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