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.