Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1804 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New	Differences
1	1	By: Leo-Wilson H.B. No. 1804
2	2
3	3
4	4	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
5	5	AN ACT
6	6	relating to the instructional material list and supplemental
7	7	instructional materials adopted by the State Board of Education.
8	8	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
9	9	SECTION 1. Section 31.023, Education Code, is amended by
10	10	amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
11	11	follows:
12	12	(b) Each instructional material on the list:
13	13	(1) must [be]:
14	14	(A) be [(1)] free from factual errors;
15	15	(B) be [(2)] suitable for the subject and grade
16	16	level for which the instructional material was submitted; [and]
17	17	(C) be [(3)] reviewed by academic experts in the
18	18	subject and grade level for which the instructional material was
19	19	submitted;
20	20	(D) present a scientific theory in an objective
21	21	educational manner that:
22	22	(i) clearly distinguishes the theory from
23	23	fact; and
24	24	(ii) includes evidence for both the
25	25	scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of the theory;
26	26	(E) present violence, if it appears, in the
27	27	context of the causes and consequences of the violence and not for
28	28	unwholesome excitement or sensationalism;
29	29	(F) present positive aspects of the United States
30	30	and its heritage, if the instructional material discusses the
31	31	United States or its heritage;
32	32	(G) present contrasting points of view regarding
33	33	significant political or social movements in history in a balanced
34	34	and factual manner;
35	35	(H) treat all groups fairly and avoid biases or
36	36	stereotypes regarding any particular individual, group, or type of
37	37	work to reflect the positive contributions of all individuals and
38	38	groups to the American way of life; and
39	39	(I) include information needed to develop mutual
40	40	respect and understanding among all persons; and
41	41	(2) may not:
42	42	(A) include selections or works that condone
43	43	civil disorder, social strife, or disregard for the law;
44	44	(B) include blatantly offensive language or
45	45	illustrations;
46	46	(C) encourage lifestyles that deviate from
47	47	generally accepted standards of society;
48	48	(D) contain a concept described by Section
49	49	28.0022(a)(4)(A); or
50	50	(E) be authored by an employee of the agency.
51	51	(c) If the State Board of Education determines that an
52	52	instructional material being considered for adoption under this
53	53	section contains content that does not comply with the standards
54	54	under Subsection (b), the board may not adopt the instructional
55	55	material unless the publisher removes the content or modifies the
56	56	content in a manner that complies with the standards under that
57	57	subsection.
58	58	SECTION 2. Section 31.035, Education Code, is amended by
59	59	amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
60	60	follows:
61	61	(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter,
62	62	the State Board of Education may adopt supplemental instructional
63	63	materials that are not on the list adopted under Section 31.023.
64	64	The State Board of Education may adopt supplemental instructional
65	65	material under this section only if the instructional material:
66	66	(1) contains material covering one or more primary
67	67	focal points or primary topics of a subject in the required
68	68	curriculum under Section 28.002, as determined by the State Board
69	69	of Education;
70	70	(2) is not designed to serve as the sole instructional
71	71	material for a full course;
72	72	(3) meets applicable physical specifications adopted
73	73	by the State Board of Education; and
74	74	(4) complies with the standards under Section
75	75	31.023(b) [is free from factual errors;
76	76	[(5) is suitable for the subject and grade level; and
77	77	[(6) is reviewed by academic experts in the subject
78	78	and grade level].
79	79	(a-1) If the State Board of Education determines that an
80	80	instructional material being considered for adoption under this
81	81	section contains content that does not comply with the standards
82	82	under Subsection (a), the board may not adopt the instructional
83	83	material unless the publisher removes the content or modifies the
84	84	content in a manner that complies with the standards under that
85	85	subsection.
86	86	SECTION 3. Sections 31.023 and 31.035, Education Code, as
87	87	amended by this Act, apply only to an instructional material list or
88	88	supplemental instructional material adopted on or after the
89	89	effective date of this Act. An instructional material list or
90	90	supplemental instructional material adopted before the effective
91	91	date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the
92	92	instructional material list or supplemental instructional material
93	93	was adopted, and the former law is continued in effect for that
94	94	purpose.
95	95	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.