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39 historical documents such as: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