Senate Bill 10 is returning to the Senate after the House of Representatives recently passed the measure with a vote of 82 to 46. If approved, it would go to Governor Greg Abbott (R-Texas) for signature.
"This is a huge victory for the state of Texas," says Megan Benton, strategic policy associate for Texas Values.
The bill calls for a poster or framed copy of the 10 Commandments to be displayed in all public school classrooms with text large enough for people to easily read. The displays could be paid for through private donations or district funds.
This is similar to a law Louisiana passed last year requiring all public elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools to display posters of the 10 Commandments. It has already been hit with legal challenges, and a federal appeals court is expected to rule later this year on its constitutionality.
Under the House amendment of the Texas law, the state, not school districts, will be responsible for covering legal defense costs if a district is sued over it.
Benton likes that students will have the opportunity to read and learn the 10 Commandments.
"It's a very simple piece of legislation, but it's absolutely critical," she says. "The importance of the 10 Commandments, I think, is something that everyone can agree on. The state of Texas is on board with this idea; I think that the legislature passing this bill this session proves that."
Benton adds that she is "excited about what it's going to do for Texas."
The law is set to take effect at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.
