H.B. No. 1026
AN ACT
relating to instruction in positive character traits in public
schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 29.906, Education Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 29.906. CHARACTER TRAITS INSTRUCTION [EDUCATION
PROGRAM].
SECTION 2. Section 29.906, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a), (b), and (c) and adding Subsection (g) to
read as follows:
(a) The State Board of Education shall integrate positive
character traits into the essential knowledge and skills adopted
for kindergarten through grade 12, as appropriate [A school
district may provide a character education program].
(b) The State Board of Education must include the following
[A character education program under this section must:
[(1) stress] positive character traits [, such as]:
(1) [(A)] courage;
(2) [(B)] trustworthiness, including honesty,
reliability, punctuality, and loyalty;
(3) [(C)] integrity;
(4) [(D)] respect and courtesy;
(5) [(E)] responsibility, including accountability,
diligence, perseverance, and self-control;
(6) [(F)] fairness, including justice and freedom
from prejudice;
(7) [(G)] caring, including kindness, empathy,
compassion, consideration, patience, generosity, and charity;
(8) [(H)] good citizenship, including patriotism,
concern for the common good and the community, and respect for
authority and the law; [and]
(9) [(I)] school pride; and
(10) gratitude[;
[(2) use integrated teaching strategies; and
[(3) be age appropriate].
(c) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school
must adopt a character education program that includes the positive
character traits listed in Subsection (b). In developing or
selecting a character education program under this section, a
school district shall consult with a committee selected by the
district that consists of:
(1) parents of district students;
(2) educators; and
(3) other members of the community, including
community leaders.
(g) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as
necessary to implement this section.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020
school year.
SECTION 4. 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, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1026 was passed by the House on April
25, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 132, Nays 4, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 1026 on May 23, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 6,
1 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1026 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 20, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor