78R1491 SLO-D

By:  Hodge                                                        H.B. No. 23 



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a criminal justice component of the enrichment 
curriculum in public schools.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 28.002(a), Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	(a)  Each school district that offers kindergarten through 
grade 12 shall offer, as a required curriculum:
		(1)  a foundation curriculum that includes:                                   
			(A)  English language arts;                                                  
			(B)  mathematics;                                                            
			(C)  science;  and                                                           
			(D)  social studies, consisting of Texas, United 
States, and world history, government, and geography;  and
		(2)  an enrichment curriculum that includes:                                  
			(A)  to the extent possible, languages other than 
English;                 
			(B)  health;                                                                 
			(C)  physical education;                                                     
			(D)  fine arts;                                                              
			(E)  economics, with emphasis on the free 
enterprise system and its benefits;
			(F)  career and technology education;  [and]                
			(G)  technology applications; and                                     
			(H)  criminal justice and the law.                                    
	SECTION 2.  (a)  Section 28.002(a)(2)(H), Education Code, as 
added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2005-2006 school 
year.
	(b)  Not later than May 1, 2004, the State Board of Education  
shall adopt rules identifying the essential skills and knowledge 
for criminal justice as required by Section 28.002, Education Code, 
as amended by this Act.
	(c)  Not later than March 1, 2005, the State Board of 
Education shall:       
		(1)  notwithstanding Section 31.022(d), Education 
Code, adopt textbooks for criminal justice as required by Section 
31.022(a), Education Code; and
		(2)  notwithstanding Section 31.024(b), Education 
Code, provide to each school district the lists of textbooks 
adopted for criminal justice.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.