By:  Miller, Riddle, Callegari, Mercer,                           H.B. No. 575
 
    et al.                                                                   


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to displaying or reading from certain historical texts in 
public schools.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 28.010 to read as follows:
	Sec. 28.010.  READING FROM OR DISPLAY OF CERTAIN HISTORICAL 
TEXTS.  In order to ensure that students understand and appreciate 
the histories of the United States and Texas, an educator at an 
elementary or secondary school, including an open-enrollment 
charter school, may read from or display any of the following 
historical texts in the school building in which the educator is 
employed:
		(1)  the United States national motto;                                 
		(2)  the United States national anthem;                                
		(3)  the United States pledge of allegiance;                           
		(4)  the preamble to the Texas Constitution;                           
		(5)  the United States Declaration of Independence or 
the Texas Declaration of Independence;
		(6)  the Mayflower Compact;                                            
		(7)  any writings, speeches, documents, or 
proclamations of the original signers of the United States 
Declaration of Independence or the Texas Declaration of 
Independence, presidents or vice presidents of the United States, 
presidents or vice presidents of the Republic of Texas, governors 
of Texas throughout its history, members of the women's suffrage 
movement, or members of the civil rights movement;
		(8)  any published decision of the United States 
Supreme Court or Texas Supreme Court, including any decision 
related to prayer in public school;
		(9)  any laws or resolutions passed by the United 
States Congress or Texas Legislature;
		(10)  documents that acknowledge the contributions of 
women and people of color to the United States and Texas;
		(11)  documents that acknowledge the contributions of 
Native Americans; or
		(12)  any writing or other document that acknowledges 
the contributions of an individual honored by a holiday of this 
state.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.