By: West S.B. No. 585
(Anderson of McLennan)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the opportunity of certain patriotic societies to
present information regarding the society to public school students
during regular school hours.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 25, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 25.0822 to read as follows:
Sec. 25.0822. PATRIOTIC SOCIETY ACCESS TO STUDENTS.
(a) In this section, "patriotic society" means a youth membership
organization listed in Title 36 of the United States Code with an
educational purpose that promotes patriotism and civic
involvement.
(b) At the beginning of each school year, the principal of a
public school campus shall provide representatives of a patriotic
society with the opportunity to speak to students during regular
school hours about membership in the society and the ways in which
membership may promote a student's educational interest and level
of civic involvement, leading to the student's increased potential
for self-improvement and ability to contribute to improving the
student's school and community.
(c) A principal has complete discretion over the specific
date and time of the opportunity required to be provided under this
section, except that:
(1) the principal must limit the opportunity provided
to a patriotic society to a single school day; and
(2) any presentation made to students as a result of
the opportunity may not exceed 10 minutes in length.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018
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, 2017.