Utah 2025 Regular Session

Utah House Bill HB0447 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	Enrolled Copy H.B. 447
	1	+	03-06 11:54 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 447
	2	+	Ann Millner proposes the following substitute bill:
2	3		1
3	4		Statewide Catalyst Campus Model
4	5		2025 GENERAL SESSION
5	6		STATE OF UTAH
6	7		Chief Sponsor: Mike Schultz
7	8		Senate Sponsor: Ann Millner
8	9		2
9	10
10	11		3
11	12		LONG TITLE
12	13		4
13	14		General Description:
14	15		5
15	16		This bill establishes a grant program to help local education agencies create or expand
16	17		6
17	18		catalyst centers.
18	19		7
19	20		Highlighted Provisions:
20	21		8
21	22		This bill:
22	23		9
23	24		▸ creates the Catalyst Center Grant Program (program) to support local education agencies
24	25		10
25	26		(LEA) in creating or expanding catalyst centers;
26	27		11
27	28		▸ allows for multi-year grants and capital expenditures;
28	29		12
29	30		▸ requires alignment with labor market needs, LEA strategic plans, and state career and
30	31		13
31	32		technical education goals;
32	33		14
33	34		▸ establishes accountability measures, including limits on carryforward funds and annual
34	35		15
35	36		reporting;
36	37		16
37	38		▸ requires Talent Ready Utah and the Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and
38	39		17
39	40		Dynamic Education to create a marketing campaign for the program;
40	41		18
41	42		▸ exempts certain individuals from educator licensing requirements;
42	43		19
43	44		▸ amends the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account to fund the
44	45		20
45	46		program;
46	47		21
47	48		▸ creates requirements related to art and fine arts credits; and
48	49		22
49	50		▸ makes technical changes.
50	51		23
51	52		Money Appropriated in this Bill:
52	53		24
53	54		None
54	55		25
55	56		Other Special Clauses:
56	57		26
57	58		None
58	59		27
59		-	Utah Code Sections Affected: ~~H.B. 447 Enrolled Copy~~
	60	+	Utah Code Sections Affected:
60	61		28
61	62		AMENDS:
	63	+	3rd Sub. H.B. 447 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 447 03-06 11:54
62	64		29
63	65		53E-6-204, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 186
64	66		30
65	67		53F-9-204, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 322
66	68		31
67	69		ENACTS:
68	70		32
69	71		53E-3-507.1, Utah Code Annotated 1953
70	72		33
71	73		53G-10-307, Utah Code Annotated 1953
72	74		34
73	75
74	76		35
75	77		Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
76	78		36
77	79		Section 1. Section 53E-3-507.1 is enacted to read:
78	80		37
79	81		53E-3-507.1 . Catalyst Center Grant Program.
80	82		38
81	83		(1) As used in this section:
82	84		39
83	85		(a) "Catalyst center" means a program or facility operated by an LEA that:
84	86		40
85	87		(i) provides learning experiences and instruction that replicate professional
86	88		41
87	89		environments and workplace practices;
88	90		42
89	91		(ii) provides profession-based learning experiences by partnering with local industry,
90	92		43
91	93		business, and community organizations to develop and implement student projects
92	94		44
93	95		that address specific needs or objectives identified by those partners;
94	96		45
95	97		(iii) aligns programs with high-skill, high-demand career pathways and
96	98		46
97	99		postsecondary education opportunities;
98	100		47
99	101		(iv) incorporates industry-standard tools, technologies, and methods into instruction
100	102		48
101	103		and student work;
102	104		49
103	105		(v) prioritizes student activities and profession-based learning projects to build
104	106		50
105	107		durable professional skills aligned with industry standards and needs;
106	108		51
107	109		(vi) facilitates mentorship and participation by industry professionals to guide a
108	110		52
109	111		student and evaluate the student's work;
110	112		53
111	113		(vii) includes an advisory board composed of industry, postsecondary, and
112	114		54
113	115		community representatives to review program direction and ensure alignment with
114	116		55
115	117		workforce needs; and
116	118		56
117	119		(viii) establishes programs or activities that address gaps in training or resources
118	120		57
119	121		within the local or regional workforce.
120	122		58
121	123		(b) "Director" means the employee described in Subsection (3).
122	124		59
123	125		(c) "LEA" means:
124	126		60
125	127		(i) a school district;
126	128		61
127	129		(ii) charter school; or
128		-	- 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 447
129	130		62
130	131		(iii) the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
	132	+	- 2 - 03-06 11:54 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 447
131	133		63
132	134		(d) "Program" means the Catalyst Center Grant Program created in this section.
133	135		64
134	136		(2) Subject to legislative appropriation as described in Section 53F-9-204, the state board
135	137		65
136	138		shall establish the Catalyst Center Grant Program to provide funding to an LEA to create
137	139		66
138	140		or expand an existing catalyst center.
139	141		67
140	142		(3) The state board shall hire a director to oversee the program who:
141	143		68
142	144		(a) has demonstrated abilities in:
143	145		69
144	146		(i) developing and implementing innovative initiatives that transform traditional
145	147		70
146	148		education delivery models;
147	149		71
148	150		(ii) establishing public-private partnership frameworks that create student pathways
149	151		72
150	152		into high-growth industries; and
151	153		73
152	154		(iii) scaling programs that integrate real-world experiences directly into educational
153	155		74
154	156		environments;
155	157		75
156	158		(b) possesses expertise in:
157	159		76
158	160		(i) managing complex multi-stakeholder initiatives across education, industry, and
159	161		77
160	162		government sectors;
161	163		78
162	164		(ii) implementing data-driven organizational change strategies; and
163	165		79
164	166		(iii) developing sustainable funding models for innovative education programs;
165	167		80
166	168		(c) maintains active leadership roles in:
167	169		81
168	170		(i) state or national workforce innovation organizations;
169	171		82
170	172		(ii) industry associations focused on talent development; and
171	173		83
172	174		(iii) public-private collaboratives addressing workforce transformation;
173	175		84
174	176		(d) reports directly to the state superintendent or a deputy superintendent to ensure
175	177		85
176	178		appropriate program oversight and cross-departmental coordination while
177	179		86
178	180		maintaining distinct program objectives and outcomes;
179	181		87
180	182		(e) establishes formal collaboration mechanisms with the state board's career and
181	183		88
182	184		technical education director to align catalyst center initiatives with existing career
183	185		89
184	186		and technical education programs; and
185	187		90
186	188		(f) facilitates training and a collaborative network of experienced catalyst center
187	189		91
188	190		administrators and instructors across all participating LEAs.
189	191		92
190	192		(4) The director
191	193		93
192	194		(a) shall:
193	195		94
194	196		(i) administer the program;
195	197		95
196	198		(ii) collaborate with the director of career and technical education to align the
197		-	- 3 - H.B. 447 Enrolled Copy
198	199		96
199	200		program with the career and technical education standards described in Section
	201	+	- 3 - 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 447 03-06 11:54
200	202		97
201	203		53E-3-507;
202	204		98
203	205		(iii) create a web-based application system to streamline submissions and allow for
204	206		99
205	207		linked supporting documentation;
206	208		100
207	209		(iv) ensure that grant funds are used in accordance with this section; and
208	210		101
209	211		(v) allow grant funds to be used for planning, including:
210	212		102
211	213		(A) feasibility studies;
212	214		103
213	215		(B) stakeholder engagement;
214	216		104
215	217		(C) labor market analysis;
216	218		105
217	219		(D) initial program design and rollout; and
218	220		106
219	221		(E) teacher and staff training specific to the delivery of profession-based learning;
220	222		107
221	223		and
222	224		108
223	225		(b) may collaborate with the Utah System of Higher Education and the First Credential
224	226		109
225	227		Oversight Committee established in Section 53E-10-310.
226	228		110
227	229		(5) An LEA applying for a grant shall demonstrate capacity for workforce alignment
228	230		111
229	231		programs within the LEA or provide a plan to establish or enhance alignment by:
230	232		112
231	233		(a) describing current or planned efforts to align programming with labor market needs
232	234		113
233	235		and local industry demands;
234	236		114
235	237		(b) outlining steps to establish or enhance partnerships with:
236	238		115
237	239		(i) local industries and employers to ensure workforce relevance; or
238	240		116
239	241		(ii) technical colleges, degree-granting institutions, or other postsecondary entities to
240	242		117
241	243		support postsecondary transitions for students;
242	244		118
243	245		(c) identifying proposed programming goals and how the goals address gaps in regional
244	246		119
245	247		workforce training or opportunities; and
246	248		120
247	249		(d) as the LEA determines relevant, planning to incorporate:
248	250		121
249	251		(i) career and technical student organizations;
250	252		122
251	253		(ii) advisory boards with representation from local industries and workforce experts;
252	254		123
253	255		(iii) professional learning opportunities for instructors to improve workforce-focused
254	256		124
255	257		skills; and
256	258		125
257	259		(iv) strategies for using labor market data to refine and improve program offerings.
258	260		126
259	261		(6)(a) An LEA may apply for a grant by submitting an application to the state board.
260	262		127
261	263		(b) The application shall include:
262	264		128
263	265		(i) a plan to:
264	266		129
265	267		(A) create or expand one or more catalyst centers; or
266		-	- 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 447
267	268		130
268	269		(B) create or expand current career and technical education offerings within the
	270	+	- 4 - 03-06 11:54 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 447
269	271		131
270	272		LEA to bring the LEA's career and technical education offerings in alignment
271	273		132
272	274		with the definition of a catalyst center in Subsection (1);
273	275		133
274	276		(ii) a detailed multi-year budget, identifying proposed expenditures for each year of
275	277		134
276	278		the grant;
277	279		135
278	280		(iii) justification for any capital expenditures, including plans for building use;
279	281		136
280	282		(iv) a description of how the grant will be used to improve student outcomes,
281	283		137
282	284		including:
283	285		138
284	286		(A) increased access to career pathway offerings;
285	287		139
286	288		(B) measurable improvements in career readiness, including certifications,
287	289		140
288	290		credentials, or apprenticeships;
289	291		141
290	292		(C) increased offerings that advance students' progression toward postsecondary
291	293		142
292	294		education or advanced training; and
293	295		143
294	296		(D) plans for enhanced student engagement through real-world, profession-based
295	297		144
296	298		learning;
297	299		145
298	300		(v) evidence of any existing partnerships with industry, including letters of
299	301		146
300	302		collaboration;
301	303		147
302	304		(vi) evidence of alignment with the LEA's strategic plan and local labor market needs;
303	305		148
304	306		(vii) an explanation of how awarded funds will be used without unnecessary
305	307		149
306	308		carryforward;
307	309		150
308	310		(viii) as applicable, a description of how the catalyst center programming will align
309	311		151
310	312		with or enhance programs funded by the weighted pupil unit add-on described in
311	313		152
312	314		Section 53F-2-311;
313	315		153
314	316		(ix) for applications submitted by a consortium of LEAs, a description of how:
315	317		154
316	318		(A) the catalyst center will serve students across the consortium;
317	319		155
318	320		(B) costs and resources will be shared; and
319	321		156
320	322		(C) economies of scale will be achieved; and
321	323		157
322	324		(x) a description of any proposed planning activities, including expected timelines
323	325		158
324	326		and outcomes.
325	327		159
326	328		(7) The director shall:
327	329		160
328	330		(a) prioritize an LEA that:
329	331		161
330	332		(i) proposes innovative programming supported by local labor market data;
331	333		162
332	334		(ii) collaborates with local postsecondary institutions and industry;
333	335		163
334	336		(iii) demonstrates the ability to sustain the catalyst center after the grant period;
335		-	- 5 - H.B. 447 Enrolled Copy
336	337		164
337	338		(iv) demonstrates a strong focus on student outcomes and workforce alignment;
	339	+	- 5 - 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 447 03-06 11:54
338	340		165
339	341		(v) addresses gaps in high-demand, high-skill career pathways;
340	342		166
341	343		(vi) ensures funds are used to enhance programming quality before expansion; and
342	344		167
343	345		(vii) provides for a large number of students to participate in catalyst center programs
344	346		168
345	347		without limiting participation to students based on socio-economic challenges;
346	348		169
347	349		(b) allow an LEA to apply for:
348	350		170
349	351		(i) smaller grants to bring existing career and technical education programs to
350	352		171
351	353		high-quality standards the state board establishes;
352	354		172
353	355		(ii) larger multi-year grants for capital expenditures and program expansion; and
354	356		173
355	357		(iii) ensure that grant funding does not duplicate existing resources provided by other
356	358		174
357	359		state or local entities;
358	360		175
359	361		(c) consider the unique challenges and opportunities faced by rural LEAs in developing
360	362		176
361	363		and sustaining a career and technical education program or catalyst center, including:
362	364		177
363	365		(i) encouraging collaborative applications from rural consortia or regional education
364	366		178
365	367		service agencies described in Section 53G-4-410 to maximize resources and
366	368		179
367	369		impact; and
368	370		180
369	371		(ii) grant awards that consider both rural and non-rural applicants, recognizing
370	372		181
371	373		regional workforce needs and program readiness; and
372	374		182
373	375		(d) allow an LEA to propose a catalyst center collocated on the campus of an institution
374	376		183
375	377		of higher education if the application includes evidence of an agreement between the
376	378		184
377	379		LEA and the institution of higher education.
378	380		185
379	381		(8)(a) An LEA that receives a grant:
380	382		186
381	383		(i) may coordinate and collaborate with the Utah Board of Higher Education or an
382	384		187
383	385		individual institution of higher education; and
384	386		188
385	387		(ii) shall submit an annual report to the state board.
386	388		189
387	389		(b) The report shall include:
388	390		190
389	391		(i) the use of grant funds;
390	392		191
391	393		(ii) progress in meeting proposed goals and benchmarks;
392	394		192
393	395		(iii) updates on partnerships with industry and postsecondary institutions;
394	396		193
395	397		(iv) a demonstration of the alignment of programming with labor market data; and
396	398		194
397	399		(v) a description of student participation and outcomes.
398	400		195
399	401		(c) The state board shall ensure that awarded funds:
400	402		196
401	403		(i) are used in accordance with an LEA's application; and
402	404		197
403	405		(ii) that are not used are returned for reallocation.
404		-	- 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 447
405	406		198
406	407		(d) Upon request, the director shall submit a report on the program to the Education
	408	+	- 6 - 03-06 11:54 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 447
407	409		199
408	410		Interim Committee and the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
409	411		200
410	412		(9) The Talent Ready Utah Program described in Section 53B-34-103 and the Utah Leading
411	413		201
412	414		through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic Education established in Section
413	415		202
414	416		53E-10-702, shall collaborate with the state board to develop and execute a marketing
415	417		203
416	418		and outreach plan for the Catalyst Center Grant Program.
417	419		204
418	420		(10) Talent Ready Utah and the Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic
419	421		205
420	422		Education shall:
421	423		206
422	424		(a) execute the marketing and outreach plan described in Subsection (9); and
423	425		207
424	426		(b) submit an annual report to the state board that includes:
425	427		208
426	428		(i) the number of LEAs reached through marketing efforts;
427	429		209
428	430		(ii) a description of outreach activities and events conducted; and
429	431		210
430	432		(iii) feedback from LEAs regarding program accessibility and clarity.
431	433		211
432	434		(11) The state board:
433	435		212
434	436		(a) may provide up to 1% of the funds appropriated by the Legislature as described in
435	437		213
436	438		Section 53F-9-204 to administer the program;
437	439		214
438	440		(b) in fiscal year 2026, shall provide up to 1% of the funds appropriated by the
439	441		215
440	442		Legislature as described in Section 53F-9-204 to Talent Ready Utah and the Utah
441	443		216
442	444		Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic Education for the purposes
443	445		217
444	446		described in Subsections (9) and (10); and
445	447		218
446	448		(c) shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative
447	449		219
448	450		Rulemaking Act, to implement this Subsection (11).
449	451		220
450	452		Section 2. Section 53E-6-204 is amended to read:
451	453		221
452	454		53E-6-204 . Exemptions from licensure.
453	455		222
454	456		(1) Except as otherwise provided by statute or rule, a spouse of an individual serving in
455	457		223
456	458		the armed forces of the United States while the individual is stationed within this state
457	459		224
458	460		may work as an educator without being licensed under this title if:
459	461		225
460	462		[(1)] (a) the spouse holds a valid educator license issued by any other state or jurisdiction
461	463		226
462	464		recognized by the state board; and
463	465		227
464	466		[(2)] (b) the license is current and the spouse is in good standing in the state or
465	467		228
466	468		jurisdiction of licensure.
467	469		229
468	470		(2) An individual with industry experience as an LEA determines, may work as an educator
469	471		230
470	472		without being licensed under this title if the individual:
471	473		231
472	474		(a) demonstrates expertise related to a career and technical education course or catalyst
473		-	- 7 - H.B. 447 Enrolled Copy
474	475		232
475	476		center program;
	477	+	- 7 - 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 447 03-06 11:54
476	478		233
477	479		(b) passes a criminal background check as required by Section 53G-11-402; and
478	480		234
479	481		(c) completes any training required by the LEA prior to or during the teaching
480	482		235
481	483		assignment.
482	484		236
483	485		(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, an educator employed pursuant to
484	486		237
485	487		Subsection (2) shall be considered qualified in determining the state funding distribution
486	488		238
487	489		of career and technical education funding.
488	490		239
489	491		Section 3. Section 53F-9-204 is amended to read:
490	492		240
491	493		53F-9-204 . Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account.
492	494		241
493	495		(1) There is created within the Uniform School Fund a restricted account known as the
494	496		242
495	497		"Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account."
496	498		243
497	499		(2)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), the account shall be funded from the
498	500		244
499	501		following revenue sources:
500	502		245
501	503		(i) 15% of the difference between, as determined by the Office of the Legislative
502	504		246
503	505		Fiscal Analyst:
504	506		247
505	507		(A) the estimated amount of ongoing Income Tax Fund and Uniform School Fund
506	508		248
507	509		revenue available for the Legislature to appropriate for the next fiscal year; and
508	510		249
509	511		(B) the amount of ongoing appropriations from the Income Tax Fund and Uniform
510	512		250
511	513		School Fund in the current fiscal year; and
512	514		251
513	515		(ii) other appropriations as the Legislature may designate.
514	516		252
515	517		(b) If the appropriation described in Subsection (2)(a) would cause the ongoing
516	518		253
517	519		appropriations to the account to exceed 11% of Uniform School Fund appropriations
518	520		254
519	521		described in Section 53F-9-201.1 for the same fiscal year, the Legislature shall
520	522		255
521	523		appropriate only those funds necessary to ensure that the ongoing appropriations to
522	524		256
523	525		the account equal 11% of Uniform School Fund appropriations for that fiscal year.
524	526		257 (3) Subject to the availability of ongoing appropriations to the account, in accordance with
525	527		258
526	528		Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 5, Subsection (4), the ongoing appropriation to the
527	529		259
528	530		account shall be used to fund:
529	531		260
530	532		(a) except for a year described in Subsection (3)(b), one-time appropriations to the
531	533		261
532	534		public education system[; and] , including at least $65,000,000 to the Catalyst Center
533	535		262
534	536		Grant Program described in Section 53E-3-507.1; and
535	537		263
536	538		(b) the Minimum School Program for a year in which Income Tax Fund revenue and
537	539		264
538	540		Uniform School Fund revenue are insufficient to fund:
539	541		265
540	542		(i) ongoing appropriations to the public education system; and
541		-	- 8 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 447
542	543		266
543	544		(ii) enrollment growth and inflation estimates, as defined in Section 53F-9-201.1.
	545	+	- 8 - 03-06 11:54 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 447
544	546		267
545	547		(4)(a) The account shall earn interest.
546	548		268
547	549		(b) All interest earned on account money shall be deposited in the account.
548	550		269
549	551		(5) On or before December 31, 2023, and every three years thereafter, the Office of the
550	552		270
551	553		Legislative Fiscal Analyst shall:
552	554		271
553	555		(a) review the percentages described in Subsections (2)(a)(i) and (2)(b); and
554	556		272
555	557		(b) recommend to the Executive Appropriations [Subcommittee] Committee any changes
556	558		273
557	559		based on the review described in Subsection (5)(a).
558	560		274
559	561		(6) In preparing budget bills for a given fiscal year, the Executive Appropriations
560	562		275
561	563		Committee shall make the one-time appropriations described in Subsection (3)(a) by
562	564		276
563	565		appropriating at least the lesser of 10% of the total amount of the one-time appropriations[
564	566		277
565	567		; or ] to:
566	568		278
567	569		(a) the cost of providing 32 paid professional hours for teachers in accordance with
568	570		279
569	571		Section 53F-7-203; and
570	572		280
571	573		(b) the amount to make the distribution required under Section 53F-2-527.
572	574		281
573	575		Section 4. Section 53G-10-307 is enacted to read:
574	576		282
575	577
576	578		Part 3. Miscellaneous Curriculum and Credit Requirements
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578	580		53G-10-307 . Art or fine arts education -- Definition -- Credit requirements.
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580	582		(1) As used in this section, "art" or "fine arts" means:
581	583		285
582	584		(a) courses, instruction, or experiences in visual arts, music, dance, or theater;
583	585		286
584	586		(b) courses, instruction, or experiences in applied crafts and technical arts that
585	587		287
586	588		incorporate artistic elements, including:
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588	590		(i) woodworking;
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590	592		(ii) metalworking and welding;
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592	594		(iii) traditional handcrafts;
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594	596		(iv) architectural trades, including carpentry, plumbing, masonry, and stonework;
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596	598		(v) automotive design and customization;
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598	600		(vi) digital design and animation; or
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600	602		(vii) other similar courses that combine technical skill with artistic expression; and
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602	604		(c) other forms of creative or interpretive expression as an LEA determines.
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604	606		(2) For purposes of meeting art or fine arts credit requirements the state board establishes,
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606	608		the LEA shall accept for an art or fine arts credit any course listed in Subsection (1) that:
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608	610		(a) incorporates artistic or creative elements in the curriculum;
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610	612		(b) includes instruction in principles of design, form, or aesthetic expression; and
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613	614		(c) provides students opportunities for creative expression and artistic application of
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614	616		301
615	617		technical skills.
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617	619		(3) Nothing in this section:
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619	621		(a) prevents an LEA from:
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621	623		(i) establishing the LEA's own additional criteria for artistic and creative elements in
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623	625		courses accepted for fine arts credit; or
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625	627		(ii) offering additional courses for fine arts credit; or
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627	629		(b) requires an LEA to offer all courses listed in Subsection (1).
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629	631		Section 5. Effective Date.
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631	633		This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
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