24 LC 49 1709
Senate Bill 459
By: Senators Dixon of the 45th, Payne of the 54th, Still of the 48th, Brass of the 28th and
Echols of the 49th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
elementary and secondary education, so as to require the State Board of Education to develop2
a comprehensive civics education program for students in kindergarten through grade 12; to3
require the Department of Education, in consultation with the Georgia Commission on Civics4
Education, to curate oral history resources to be known as "Portraits in Patriotism" as part5
of such civics education program and develop civics education program workshops for public6
school personnel; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal7
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.8
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9
SECTION 1.10
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Civics Education and Portraits in11
Patriotism Act."12
SECTION 2.13
Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and14
secondary education, is amended in Part 2 of Article 6, relating to competencies and core15
S. B. 459
- 1 - 24 LC 49 1709
curriculum under the "Quality Basic Education Act," by adding a new Code section to read
16
as follows:17
"20-2-145.2.
18
(a) The State Board of Education shall, by the start of the 2025-2026 school year, develop19
a comprehensive civics education program for students in kindergarten through grade 1220
designed to help families, civic institutions, local communities, and local boards of21
education and other public school governing bodies prepare students to be civically22
knowledgeable and responsible adults and to understand the importance of civic23
involvement in a constitutional republic. Such program shall aid students in developing:24
(1) An understanding of their shared rights and responsibilities as residents of the state25
and of the founding principles of the United States as provided for in Code Section26
20-2-142.1;27
(2) A sense of civic pride and a desire to participate regularly with government at the28
local, state, and federal levels;29
(3) An understanding of the process for effectively advocating before government bodies30
and officials; and31
(4) An understanding of the civic minded expectations of an upright and desirable32
citizenry that recognizes and accepts responsibility for preserving and defending the33
blessings of liberty inherited from prior generations and secured by the United States34
Constitution.35
(b) The Department of Education shall, in consultation with the Georgia Commission on36
Civics Education:37
(1) Curate oral history resources to be utilized as part of the civic education program that38
provide portraits in patriotism based on the personal stories of diverse individuals who39
demonstrate civic minded qualities, including first-person accounts of victims of other40
nations' governing philosophies who can compare those philosophies with those of the41
United States. Such oral history resources shall be known as 'Portraits in Patriotism'; and42
S. B. 459
- 2 - 24 LC 49 1709
(2) Develop civics education program workshops designed for public school personnel."43
SECTION 3.44
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.45
S. B. 459
- 3 -