By: Goodwin, Talarico, Beckley, Capriglione, H.B. No. 1182

et al.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to personal financial literacy courses for high school students in public schools.

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

SECTION 1. Section 28.0021, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(b) Each school district and each open-enrollment charter school that offers a high school program shall provide a [an elective] course in personal financial literacy that meets the requirements for [a one-half elective] credit under Section 28.025, using materials approved by the State Board of Education. The course may be offered as a distinct course in personal financial literacy or as an elective course or existing course that includes instruction in personal financial literacy sufficient to meet the requirements for one-half credit under Section 28.025(b-1)(9). The instruction in personal financial literacy must include instruction on:

(1) completing the application for federal student aid provided by the United States Department of Education;

(2) the financial consequences of failing to make timely student loan payments;

(3) the effect of student loan debt on a person's finances; and

(4) the circumstances in which student loans are dischargeable in bankruptcy.

(c) In fulfilling the requirement to provide financial literacy instruction under this section, a school district or open-enrollment charter school may use an existing state, federal, private, or nonprofit program that provides students without charge the instruction described under this section.

SECTION 2. Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b-1) The State Board of Education by rule shall require that the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school program under Subsection (a) include a requirement that students successfully complete:

(1) four credits in English language arts under Section 28.002(a)(1)(A), including one credit in English I, one credit in English II, one credit in English III, and one credit in an advanced English course authorized under Subsection (b-2);

(2) three credits in mathematics under Section 28.002(a)(1)(B), including one credit in Algebra I, one credit in geometry, and one credit in any advanced mathematics course authorized under Subsection (b-2);

(3) three credits in science under Section 28.002(a)(1)(C), including one credit in biology, one credit in any advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2), and one credit in integrated physics and chemistry or in an additional advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2);

(4) three credits in social studies under Section 28.002(a)(1)(D), including one credit in United States history, at least one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in economics, and one credit in world geography or world history;

(5) except as provided under Subsections (b-12), (b-13), and (b-14), two credits in the same language in a language other than English under Section 28.002(a)(2)(A);

(6) four and one-half [five] elective credits;

(7) one credit in fine arts under Section 28.002(a)(2)(D); [and]

(8) except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one credit in physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C); and

(9) at least one-half credit in personal financial literacy under Section 28.0021.

SECTION 3. Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to students entering the ninth grade during the 2019-2020 school year or a later school year. For students entering a grade above ninth grade during the 2019-2020 school year, Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as that section existed before amendment by this Act, applies, and that section is continued in effect for that purpose.

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, 2019.