2021S0003-1 11/06/20
 
  By: Johnson S.B. No. 123
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the inclusion of social and emotional skills in
  character trait instruction provided by public schools.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 29.906(a) and (b), Education Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The State Board of Education shall integrate positive
  character traits, including social and emotional skills, into the
  essential knowledge and skills adopted for kindergarten through
  grade 12, as appropriate.
         (b)  The State Board of Education must include the following
  positive character traits and skills:
               (1)  courage;
               (2)  trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability,
  punctuality, and loyalty;
               (3)  integrity;
               (4)  respect and courtesy;
               (5)  responsibility, including accountability,
  diligence, perseverance, self-management skills, and self-control;
               (6)  fairness, including justice and freedom from
  prejudice;
               (7)  caring, including kindness, empathy, compassion,
  consideration, patience, generosity, [and] charity, interpersonal
  skills, and social awareness;
               (8)  good citizenship, including patriotism, concern
  for the common good and the community, responsible decision-making
  skills, and respect for authority and the law;
               (9)  school pride; [and]
               (10)  gratitude; and
               (11)  self-awareness.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
  school year.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.