GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 416 2021 Regular Session Hodges
CURRICULA: Requires instruction regarding World War II and the Holocaust for
high school students and training for teachers relative to such instruction
DIGEST
Proposed law requires the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to
consider incorporating standards related to the following topics into the state content
standards for social studies:
(1)The history of World War II and the Holocaust, including but not limited to the Third
Reich, the concentration camp system, anti-Semitism, the persecution of Jews and
non-Jews, Jewish and non-Jewish resistance, and the Nuremberg trials.
(2)The impact of personal responsibility, civic engagement, and societal response in the
context of World War II and the Holocaust.
(3)The connection between national, ethnic, racial, and religious intolerance and the
subjects provided in Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Paragraph.
(4)The leading role played by the United States and the United States Armed Forces,
including the Tuskegee Airmen and other African-American soldiers and
Asian-American soldiers, in defeating the Third Reich and liberating Nazi
concentration camps.
(5)The internment of Japanese Americans in the United States during World War II.
Proposed law requires BESE to publish a notice of any hearing held regarding the
development of social studies standards pursuant to proposed law in the official journal of
each parish in the state.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:24.4(M))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
original bill:
1. Require instruction in high school rather than in grades 6-12.
2. Require each public school governing authority to make available to its
schools the free curriculum from the National WWII Museum in New
Orleans.
3. Specify that instruction on the role of U.S. Armed Forces include
African-American and Asian-American members of the military.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Add the internment of Japanese Americans in the U.S. during World War II
to the list of required instructional components.
2. Remove requirements for reporting regarding implementation of proposed
law.
Page 1 of 2
Prepared by Jeanne Johnston. Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
reengrossed bill
1. Delete requirement that public school governing authorities provide
instruction on specified topics related to World War II and the Holocaust to
students in grades 9-12 and in-service training for certain teachers regarding
such instruction.
2. Delete requirement that specified curricular materials be used.
3. Delete legislative findings.
4. Require BESE to consider incorporating standards related to the specified
topics regarding World War II and the Holocaust into the content standards
for social studies.
5. Require BESE to publish notice of hearings held regarding the development
of social studies standards on the specified topics in the official journal of
every parish.
Page 2 of 2
Prepared by Jeanne Johnston.