Governor Greg Abbott has signed a significant piece of legislation that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom across Texas, as part of a larger package of 334 bills approved on Saturday.
This law, known as Senate Bill 10, requires that a ‘durable poster or framed copy’ of the Christian Ten Commandments be prominently displayed in every public school classroom.
The specifications dictate that these displays must be no smaller than 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall, ensuring legibility for the average viewer from anywhere in the classroom.
The bill was passed by the Texas Senate with a substantial majority, receiving a final vote of 28-3 before heading to the governor’s desk.
Despite its passage, the legislation faced notable opposition during its journey.
Amendments that would have permitted local school boards to decide their involvement or allowed the inclusion of ethical codes from other religions were rejected in the House.
Interestingly, this Texas measure comes on the heels of a similar law in Louisiana, which was recently deemed unconstitutional by a court.
In Louisiana, an identical bill, scheduled to take effect on January 1, was put on hold following legal action taken by a group of public school parents, who argued it infringed upon the First Amendment.
By November 2024, a U.S. District Court found the law unconstitutional and prohibited its enforcement.
Just last Friday, this ruling was upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, raising questions about the constitutionality of such legislation across the United States.
Looking ahead, it is anticipated that Texas’s SB 10 will also face legal challenges.
If such a challenge arises, it is likely to escalate to the Supreme Court.
Along with the Ten Commandments legislation, several other significant bills were signed into law on Saturday.
One noteworthy piece, House Bill 18, focuses on enhancing access to healthcare services in rural areas by establishing various programs.
House Bill 27 introduces a personal financial literacy course requirement for all Texas public high school students, aimed at equipping them with essential life skills.
Additionally, House Bill 35 seeks to improve mental health access for first responders by creating a peer network specifically for fire and emergency medical services personnel.
House Bill 40 expands the jurisdiction of Texas business courts, granting them greater authority in legal matters.
Furthermore, House Bill 1397 transfers the responsibilities for the care and custody of pivotal historical documents, including the Texas Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, to the State Preservation Board.
To bolster ambulance services in underserved areas, House Bill 3000 establishes a grant program designed to support rural ambulance services.
Senate Bill 11 allows educational institutions to adopt policies permitting daily voluntary periods of prayer and reading of religious texts, fostering a more spiritually inclusive atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 17 aims to protect Texas land from acquisition by foreign adversaries, addressing increasing concerns over national security.
Senate Bill 31 reinforces existing abortion restrictions by clarifying physicians’ responsibilities in medical emergencies involving the life of the mother.
Another important measure, Senate Bill 34, enhances wildfire preparation and response by allocating targeted funding to volunteer fire departments and establishing a statewide database for firefighting equipment.
Senate Bill 36 restructures the activities of certain entities related to homeland security, including the formation of a dedicated Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety.
In addition, Senate Bill 75 creates the Grid Security Commission to assess potential hazards to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid and suggest improvements.
Senate Bill 667 puts a halt on state retirement systems from investing in specific Chinese-affiliated entities, implementing a divestment strategy for existing assets.
Senate Bill 835—nicknamed Trey’s Law—renders nondisclosure agreements void when they restrict disclosure of sexual abuse instances.
Finally, Senate Bill 1300 implements stricter penalties to deter organized retail theft, simplifying prosecution processes for the crime.
For those interested in exploring the complete list of the 334 bills signed into law by Governor Abbott, further information is available.
image source from：fox7austin
