87R8586 ANG-D
 
  By: Wilson, Noble, Bell of Montgomery, H.B. No. 2681
      et al.
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to public school elective courses providing academic study
  of the Bible offered to certain students.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 28.011, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (f) and adding Subsection (g-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A school district may offer to students in grade six
  [nine] or above:
               (1)  an elective course on the Hebrew Scriptures (Old
  Testament) and its impact and an elective course on the New
  Testament and its impact; or
               (2)  an elective course that combines the courses
  described by Subdivision (1).
         (f)  A teacher of a course offered under this section must
  hold a certificate [minimum of a High School Composite
  Certification] in language arts, social studies, or history that
  qualifies the teacher to teach at the grade level at which the
  course is offered with, where practical, a minor in religion or
  biblical studies. A teacher selected to teach a course under this
  section shall successfully complete staff development training
  outlined in Section 21.459. A course under this section may [only]
  be taught only by a teacher who has successfully completed training
  under Section 21.459.
         (g-1)  A course offered under this section to students in
  grade six, seven, or eight may be considered as a social studies
  course for purposes of complying with the required curriculum under
  Section 28.002.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
  school year.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2021.