S.B. 190

1

PUBLIC CLASSROOM DISPLAYS
2 2008 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Allen M. Christensen
5 House Sponsor: Curtis Oda
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill requires a public school classroom to display certain items.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . requires a public school classroom to display the United States flag;
13 . requires a public school classroom in grades 4 through 12 to display a copy of the
14 United States Constitution;
15 . provides intent language relating to the funding of the display items; and
16 . makes technical corrections.
17 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 53A-13-101.4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 124
24
25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 53A-13-101.4 is amended to read:
27 53A-13-101.4. Study and posting of American heritage documents.

28 (1) The Legislature recognizes that a proper understanding of American history and
29 government is essential to good citizenship, and that the public schools are the primary public
30 institutions charged with responsibility for assisting children and youth in gaining that
31 understanding.
32 (2) (a) The State Board of Education and local school boards shall periodically review
33 school curricula and activities to ensure that effective instruction in American history and
34 government is taking place in the public schools.
35 (b) The boards shall solicit public input as part of the review process.
36 (3) School curricula and activities shall include the appropriate study of historical
37 documents such as:
38 (a) the Declaration of Independence;
39 (b) the United States Constitution;
40 (c) the national motto;
41 (d) the pledge of allegiance;
42 (e) the national anthem;
43 (f) the Mayflower Compact;
44 (g) the writings, speeches, documents, and proclamations of the Founders and the
45 Presidents of the United States;
46 (h) organic documents from the pre-Colonial, Colonial, Revolutionary, Federalist, and
47 post Federalist eras;
48 (i) United States Supreme Court decisions;
49 (j) Acts of the United States Congress, including the published text of the
50 Congressional Record; and
51 (k) United States treaties.
52 (4) To increase student understanding of, and familiarity with, American historical
53 documents, public schools may display historically important excerpts from, or copies of, those
54 documents in school classrooms and common areas as appropriate.
55 (5) There shall be no content-based censorship of American history and heritage
56 documents referred to in this section due to their religious or cultural nature.
57 (6) [Public schools] A public school shall display "In God we trust," which is declared
58 in 36 U.S.C. 302 to be the national motto of the United States, in one or more prominent places

59 within [each] the school building.
60 (7) (a) A public school classroom shall display the United States flag.
61 (b) A public school classroom in grades 4 through 12 shall display a copy of the United
62 States Constitution.
63 (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that a school district, charter school, or public
64 school shall make an effort to secure private, donated funds to cover the cost of the items
65 required to be displayed in a public school classroom under this Subsection (7) before school
66 funds are expended for this purpose.
67 Section 2. Effective date.
68 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-24-08 5:57 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel