By Longoria                                             H.B. No. 84

      75R1297 KKA-D                           

                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

 1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to required instruction of public school students in basic

 1-3     values of the United States.

 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by

 1-6     adding Subsection (k) to read as follows:

 1-7           (k)  The State Board of Education shall include instruction

 1-8     in basic values of the United States in the essential knowledge and

 1-9     skills of social studies.  If approved by a school district's board

1-10     of trustees, a district may provide instruction in a basic value

1-11     that does not conflict with the values included in the essential

1-12     knowledge and skills.  The values required by the State Board of

1-13     Education to be studied shall include:

1-14                 (1)  respect for oneself and other people, including

1-15     family;

1-16                 (2)  cooperation with and respect for law enforcement

1-17     officials;

1-18                 (3)  respect for authority;

1-19                 (4)  the work ethic;

1-20                 (5)  the dignity of all work; and

1-21                 (6)  respect for the property of others.

1-22           SECTION 2.  Beginning with the 1998-1999 school year, each

1-23     school district shall provide instruction in basic values of the

1-24     United States, as provided by Section 28.002(k), Education Code, as

 2-1     added by this Act.

 2-2           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the

 2-3     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

 2-4     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

 2-5     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

 2-6     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,

 2-7     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its

 2-8     passage, and it is so enacted.