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5d ago

Texas House Advances School Prayer Bill to Governor's Desk

Senate Bill 11, allowing voluntary prayer or religious study in schools, awaits final procedural vote before heading to Governor Abbott for expected approval.

A cross from a rosary, on Nov. 26, 2019.
Public school students could get designated prayer time in school if a bill set to pass the Texas Legislature is signed into law.

Overview

  • The Texas House approved Senate Bill 11 by a vote of 91-51, following its earlier passage in the Senate by 23-7 in March 2025.
  • The bill allows public and charter school districts to adopt policies for daily voluntary periods of prayer or religious text study, contingent on parental consent.
  • The measure prohibits prayer over loudspeakers or in the presence of non-consenting students and requires districts to decide on implementation within six months of the law taking effect on September 1, 2025.
  • Supporters argue the bill protects religious freedoms and offers clarity to schools, while critics, including the ACLU, warn it breaches the separation of church and state.
  • Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign the bill into law after its final procedural vote, solidifying its place in a broader conservative push to integrate Christian observance into public education.