Bill > HB903

This bill repeals Section 21.06 of the Texas Penal Code, which previously criminalized homosexual conduct, and makes consequential amendments to two sections of the Health and Safety Code. Specifically, the bill removes language in educational materials that previously described homosexual conduct as a criminal offense while maintaining provisions that describe homosexuality as "not an acceptable lifestyle" according to public health perspectives. The amendments affect sections related to sexual education programs, requiring that such programs continue to emphasize sexual abstinence, fidelity in marriage, and ethical sexual conduct, but no longer explicitly state that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense. The bill will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature, or otherwise will become effective on September 1, 2025. This legislation effectively decriminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity in Texas, aligning with a broader trend of removing outdated and discriminatory legal provisions targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB903