HBA-MPM H.B. 911 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 911 By: Delisi Public Education 4/18/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Children spend a significant amount of their day in the classroom, and the lessons they learn there may help shape the way in which they make decisions for the rest of their lives. H.B. 911 modifies Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, by adding Section 29.903 to encourage the implementation of comprehensive character education programs within public school districts. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, by adding Section 29.903, as follows: Sec. 29.903. CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM. (a) Encourages each school district to implement in district schools a comprehensive character education program (program). Provides examples of sample programs. (b) Specifies that a program must be secular, stress certain positive character traits, be taught for the entire school year, provide at least one hour of instruction each week, and provide a curriculum that includes specific methods and applications. (c) Requires a district that implements this program, to the greatest extent practicable, to incorporate the character traits emphasized in the program into the district's regular curriculum. (d) Authorizes a district to offer the program at one or more grade levels. SECTION 2. Amends Section 39.092(a), Education Code, to authorize the governor to present a financial award to the districts that have implemented a comprehensive character program. SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective for the 1999-2000 school year. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.