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H.B. 220

             1     

CIVICS EDUCATION AMENDMENTS

             2     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Michael T. Morley

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Mark B. Madsen

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies requirements for instruction in American history and government.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    requires instruction in forms of government, including the United States' form of
             13      government, a republic; and
             14          .    requires school curricula to include a thorough study of American historical
             15      documents.
             16      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             17          None
             18      Other Special Clauses:
             19          None
             20      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             21      AMENDS:
             22          53A-13-101.4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 124
             23     
             24      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             25          Section 1. Section 53A-13-101.4 is amended to read:
             26           53A-13-101.4. Study and posting of American heritage documents.
             27          (1) The Legislature recognizes that a proper understanding of American history and


             28      government is essential to good citizenship, and that the public schools are the primary public
             29      institutions charged with responsibility for assisting children and youth in gaining that
             30      understanding.
             31          (2) (a) The State Board of Education and local school boards shall periodically review
             32      school curricula and activities to ensure that effective instruction in American history and
             33      government is taking place in the public schools.
             34          (b) The boards shall solicit public input as part of the review process.
             35          (c) Instruction in American history and government shall include a study of:
             36          (i) forms of government, such as a democracy, monarchy, and oligarchy; and
             37          (ii) the United States' form of government, a republic.
             38          (3) School curricula and activities shall include [the appropriate] a thorough study of
             39      historical documents such as:
             40          (a) the Declaration of Independence;
             41          (b) the United States Constitution;
             42          (c) the national motto;
             43          (d) the pledge of allegiance;
             44          (e) the national anthem;
             45          (f) the Mayflower Compact;
             46          (g) the writings, speeches, documents, and proclamations of the Founders and the
             47      Presidents of the United States;
             48          (h) organic documents from the pre-Colonial, Colonial, Revolutionary, Federalist, and
             49      post Federalist eras;
             50          (i) United States Supreme Court decisions;
             51          (j) Acts of the United States Congress, including the published text of the
             52      Congressional Record; and
             53          (k) United States treaties.
             54          (4) To increase student understanding of, and familiarity with, American historical
             55      documents, public schools may display historically important excerpts from, or copies of, those
             56      documents in school classrooms and common areas as appropriate.
             57          (5) There shall be no content-based censorship of American history and heritage
             58      documents referred to in this section due to their religious or cultural nature.


             59          (6) Public schools shall display "In God we trust," which is declared in 36 U.S.C. 302
             60      to be the national motto of the United States, in one or more prominent places within each
             61      school building.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-29-10 8:33 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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