5 new Texas laws set to take effect next month

2. Prayer in schools 

In June, Abbott also signed companion bills, SB 11 and SB 965, allowing school districts to provide a voluntary daily period for students and staff to pray or read religious texts during school hours. 

Under SB 11, prayers will not be allowed over the intercom system and prayer time in the place of instructional time is prohibited.

While SB 11 does not require prayer in all public schools, school districts have the option to “adopt a policy requiring every campus of the district or school to provide students and employees with an opportunity to participate in a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text on each school day.”

Following district approval by the school board, any prayer session would require parental permission for students to attend. Any employees who attend the session are also required to sign a consent form waiving their right to sue the district.