89R8386 AND-D
 
  By: Guerra H.B. No. 1579
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to establishing the Texas State Seal of Bilingualism and
  Biliteracy for public high school students.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 28.028 to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.028.  TEXAS STATE SEAL OF BILINGUALISM AND
  BILITERACY.  (a)  In this section, "seal" means the Texas State Seal
  of Bilingualism and Biliteracy established under Subsection (b).
         (b)  The agency shall establish a seal to recognize high
  school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in
  comprehending, speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a
  language other than English.
         (c)  The agency, in consultation with appropriate
  stakeholders, shall:
               (1)  determine minimum requirements for earning the
  seal, which:
                     (A)  must be sufficiently rigorous to indicate to
  an employer or postsecondary institution that a student who has
  earned the seal is biliterate;
                     (B)  may include completion of a project,
  activity, or portfolio; and
                     (C)  may not condition receipt of the seal on an
  examination created for that purpose; and
               (2)  prepare and deliver to each school district an
  insignia that can be affixed or stamped on the diploma of and adopt
  a designation to be included on the transcript of a student who has
  satisfied requirements for earning the seal.
         (d)  Each school district shall:
               (1)  maintain appropriate records to identify students
  who have earned the seal; and
               (2)  for each student who has satisfied requirements
  for earning the seal:
                     (A)  affix the seal's insignia to the student's
  diploma; and
                     (B)  include in the student's transcript that the
  student earned the seal.
         (e)  The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
  administer this section.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
  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, 2025.