S.B. 21 Enrolled

PATRIOTIC EDUCATION
2000 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Leonard M. Blackham
AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; REQUIRING THE STATE BOARD OF
EDUCATION TO PROVIDE BY RULE FOR A PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION WITHIN THE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS RELATING TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
ENACTS:
53A-13-101.6, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 53A-13-101.6 is enacted to read:
53A-13-101.6. Instruction on the flag of the United States of America.
(1) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
State Board of Education shall provide by rule for a program of instruction within the public
schools relating to the flag of the United States.
(2) The instruction shall include the history of the flag, etiquette, customs pertaining to the
display and use of the flag, and other patriotic exercises as provided by Sections 36 U.S.C. 170 to
177.
(3) (a) The pledge of allegiance to the flag shall be recited at the beginning of the day in
each elementary public school in the state.
(b) Local school boards are encouraged to provide for the reciting of the pledge of
allegiance to the flag once a week at the beginning of a school day in their secondary schools.
(c) Each student shall be informed by posting a notice in a conspicuous place that the
student has the right not to participate in reciting the pledge.
(d) A student shall be excused from reciting the pledge upon written request from the
student's parent or legal guardian.
Section 2. Effective date.

This act takes effect on July 1, 2000.

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