Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4471 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 03/08/2019

                            86R14217 TSS-D
 By: Meza H.B. No. 4471


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to an elective course in human rights in public schools.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
 amended by adding Section 28.0105 to read as follows:
 Sec. 28.0105.  ELECTIVE COURSE IN HUMAN RIGHTS. (a) A
 school district may offer an elective course in human rights based
 on the model curriculum developed under Subsection (b) to students
 in middle school, junior high school, and high school.  The course
 provided to high school students, if offered by the school
 district, must meet the requirements for a one-half elective credit
 under Section 28.025.
 (b)  The State Board of Education, in consultation with human
 rights activists and academic professionals, shall develop a model
 curriculum for an elective course in human rights. The model
 curriculum must include:
 (1)  instruction in:
 (A)  global awareness;
 (B)  culture;
 (C)  the history of human rights; and
 (D)  the universal declaration of human rights;
 and
 (2)  a community service and leadership component.
 SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
 of this Act, the State Board of Education shall develop the model
 curriculum required under Section 28.0105(b), Education Code, as
 added by this Act.
 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.