85R2956 KJE-D

By: Campbell S.B. No. 174

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to inclusion of a course on the founding principles of the United States in the curriculum requirements for public high school students and the posting of the founding documents of the United States in public school buildings.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-22) to read as follows:

(b-22) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules requiring students to successfully complete a semester course on the founding principles of the United States as part of a district's social studies curriculum. The course must focus on the principles underlying the United States form of government, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the writings of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 11, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 11.173 to read as follows:

Sec. 11.173. POSTING OF FOUNDING DOCUMENTS. The board of trustees of an independent school district shall permit and encourage the posting in a district classroom or school building of a copy of the founding documents of the United States, including the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the writings of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

SECTION 3. Section 28.025(b-22), Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with students who enter the ninth grade during the 2017-2018 school year.

SECTION 4. 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, 2017.