ENROLLED
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
ACT No. 393
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 436
BY REPRESENTATIVES HARRISON, ADAMS, BERTHELOT, STUART BISHOP,
BROADWATER, BROWN, BURFORD, TIM BURNS, CARMODY, COX,
GISCLAIR, HARRIS, HAVARD, HENRY, HENSGENS, HI LL, HODGES,
HOFFMANN, HUVAL, JONES, KLECKLEY, MACK, PUGH, PYLANT,
SCHEXNAYDER, SEABAUGH, SI MON, AND WHITNEY
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:264 and 3996(B)(30), relative to required instruction in public schools; to2
require certain public school governing authorities to provide instruction on certain3
aspects of American history; to provide for guidelines pertaining to such instruction;4
and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Founding Principles Act".7
Section 2. R.S. 17:264 and 3996(B)(30) are hereby enacted to read as follows: 8
§264. The Founding Principles of the United States of America; required instruction9
A. The governing authority of each public school that offers courses in10
American history and civics as prerequisites to graduation shall integrate into such11
courses instruction regarding the Founding Principles of the United States of12
America.13
B. Such instruction shall include but need not be limited to providing14
students with information on the following:15
(1) The Creator-endowed unalienable rights of the people.16
(2) Structure of government and separation of powers with checks and17
balances.18
(3) Frequent and free elections in a representative government.19
(4) Rule of law.20
(5) Equal justice under the law.21
(6) Private property rights.22 ENROLLEDHB NO. 436
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(7) Federalism.1
(8) Due process.2
(9) Individual rights as set forth in the Bill of Rights.3
(10) Individual responsibility.4
* * *5
§3996. Charter schools; exemptions; requirements6
* * *7
B. Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and8
except as may be otherwise specifically provided for in an approved charter, a9
charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this10
Chapter and its approved charter and the school's officers and employees shall be11
exempt from all statutory mandates or other statutory requirements that are12
applicable to public schools and to public school officers and employees except for13
the following laws otherwise applicable to public schools with the same grades:14
* * *15
(30) Instruction on the Founding Principles of the United States of America16
in American history and civics courses, R.S. 17:264.17
* * *18
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: