The Senate adopted the conference committee report for Senate Bill 12, legislation described by supporters as a parental‑rights package that changes school grievance procedures, requires parental consent for certain activities, and limits district staff involvement in student social transition.

Senator Creighton, acting as one of the conferees, summarized the negotiated changes and moved adoption of the conference committee report. He said the conference version removes the provisions that had allowed open enrollment across districts and that it “keeps house language which prohibits school district personnel from assisting a student with socially transitioning, such as using a new name or different pronouns or other expressions of gender.”

Creighton told senators the report also retains House language allowing parental review of library and classroom materials and creates a four‑level local grievance and appeals ladder ending at the commissioner of education; districts must post the grievance portal and submit data to TEA for a statewide report. He also said the conference version preserves the House framework on student clubs by requiring parental consent for participation and continuing to prohibit school employees from providing instruction in clubs related to sexual orientation or gender identity unless parents consent.

Senator Menendez and other senators questioned how the prohibition would apply to students who had already socially transitioned. Menendez asked whether a student who had been using a chosen name and pronouns for years could still be addressed by teachers under the new policy. Creighton replied that the conference language would require districts to adopt policies that prohibit school staff from initiating or assisting with name changes or pronoun changes and that parents would be notified; he said the policy would require parent consultation in those circumstances. Menendez expressed concern that the provision could limit parents who are working with their children and medical professionals on transitions.

Senator West sought clarification about an HBCU recruiting exception and about parental‑consent rules for clubs; Creighton said the conference language includes a House clarification that historically Black colleges and universities may continue recruiting in collaboration with districts and that districts differ on existing club consent policies.

The conference committee report also includes House additions on parental consent for psychological treatment and specifies which promotions, retentions and graduation policies districts must post as part of trustee notifications to parents. Creighton described the conference changes as a hybrid that maintained the "spirit and intent" of the original Senate provisions while accepting several House clarifications.

After floor questions and debate, the Senate adopted the conference committee report by roll call (20 ayes, 11 nays). The floor record shows multiple senators raised concerns during the Q&A about the reach of the prohibition on school staff when students independently present a different name or gender expression.

What this means: The adopted conference committee report on SB 12 keeps House additions on grievance procedures, parental review rights and parental consent for certain school clubs and treatments, and includes an explicit prohibition on school staff initiating or assisting with social transitions; school districts will be required to post grievance portals and grievance data, and district policy guidance and TEA oversight steps will follow.