BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3966

By: Raymond

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Reports indicate that a significant percentage of the public are inadequately informed about the history of the rise of Hitler and the nature of the atrocities of, and scale of the death associated with, the Holocaust. H.B. 3966 seeks to remedy this by requiring a Holocaust Remembrance Week in public schools in which students will be educated about the history and lessons learned from the Holocaust.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3966 amends the Education Code to require the governor to designate a week to be known as Holocaust Remembrance Week in public schools for the purpose of educating students about the Holocaust and inspiring in students a sense of responsibility to recognize and uphold human value and to prevent future atrocities. The bill sets out the components of required instruction for the Holocaust Remembrance Week and applies beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.