WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 126

Relating to studies or surveys on children's sexual behavior conducted at or by a public primary or secondary school, a public institution of higher education, a prescription drug manufacturer, a research entity, or another person; creating criminal offenses; imposing civil penalties.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Bob Hall

SB 126 criminalizes sexual behavior studies on children by schools, universities, and researchers in Texas, imposing criminal penalties and civil liability for violations.

Referred to Health & Human Services
#civilremedies&liabilities(i0065) #education--higher--institutions&programs(i0223) #education--primary&secondary--general(i0230) #family--parent&child(i0355) #minors--crimesagainst(i0532) #minors--health&safety(i0533)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 126

Legislative bill overview

SB 126 would restrict or prohibit studies and surveys about children's sexual behavior conducted by public schools, universities, drug manufacturers, research entities, and other organizations in Texas. The bill creates criminal offenses and civil penalties for violations of these restrictions.

Why is this important

This legislation directly impacts research methodologies, public health data collection, and educational institutions' ability to conduct behavioral studies. It could affect epidemiological research on adolescent health, pharmaceutical safety monitoring, and evidence-based sex education or health curricula development—all of which typically rely on survey data to understand youth populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's language about what constitutes prohibited "studies or surveys" is vague, potentially catching innocuous health questionnaires, anonymous epidemiological research, or standard health class curriculum assessments under criminal liability.
  • Public health research impact: Restrictions could hamper legitimate research on sexually transmitted infection prevention, teen pregnancy, sexual abuse prevention, and other population health issues that depend on behavioral data collection.
  • Parental consent vs. institutional review: The bill may conflict with existing IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval processes and federal research regulations that already govern human subjects research, creating legal uncertainty.
  • Pharmaceutical monitoring: Drug manufacturers' ability to conduct post-market safety surveys on medications used by minors could be compromised, potentially delaying identification of adverse effects.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.