HB 447 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0447-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to required instruction in the history 2
of African Americans; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; 3
providing that instructional staff of public schools 4
are encouraged to include the history of local 5
African-American cemeteries in the study of the 6
history of African Americans when practicable; 7
providing an effective date. 8
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 10
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Section 1. Paragraph (h) of subsection (2) of section 12
1003.42, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 13
1003.42 Required instruction. — 14
(2) Members of the instructional staff of the public 15
schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education 16
and the district school bo ard, shall teach efficiently and 17
faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the 18
highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy, 19
following the prescribed courses of study, and employing 20
approved methods of instruction, the f ollowing: 21
(h) The history of African Americans, including the 22
history of African peoples before the political conflicts that 23
led to the development of slavery, the passage to America, the 24
enslavement experience, abolition, and the contributions of 25
HB 447 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0447-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
African Americans to society. Instructional materials shall 26
include the contributions of African Americans to American 27
society. Members of the instructional staff are encouraged to 28
include the history of local African -American cemeteries in the 29
study of the history of African Americans when practicable. 30
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The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards 32
and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection. A 33
character development program that incorporates the values of 34
the recipients of the Co ngressional Medal of Honor and that is 35
offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or 36
other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness 37
initiative meets the requirements of paragraphs (s) and (t). 38
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022. 39