H.B. 220 Enrolled

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:
13 . forms of government, including the United States' form of government, a
14 compound constitutional republic; and
15 . political philosophies and economic systems; and
16 . requires school curricula to include a thorough study of American historical
17 documents.
18 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 AMENDS:
24 53A-13-101.4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 124
25
26 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
27 Section 1. Section 53A-13-101.4 is amended to read:
28 53A-13-101.4. Instruction in American history and government -- Study and
29 posting of American heritage documents.

30 (1) The Legislature recognizes that a proper understanding of American history and
31 government is essential to good citizenship, and that the public schools are the primary public
32 institutions charged with responsibility for assisting children and youth in gaining that
33 understanding.
34 (2) (a) The State Board of Education and local school boards shall periodically review
35 school curricula and activities to ensure that effective instruction in American history and
36 government is taking place in the public schools.
37 (b) The boards shall solicit public input as part of the review process.
38 (c) Instruction in American history and government shall include a study of:
39 (i) forms of government, such as a republic, a pure democracy, a monarchy, and an
40 oligarchy;
41 (ii) political philosophies and economic systems, such as socialism, individualism, and
42 free market capitalism; and
43 (iii) the United States' form of government, a compound constitutional republic.
44 (3) School curricula and activities shall include [the appropriate] a thorough study of
45 historical documents such as:
46 (a) the Declaration of Independence;
47 (b) the United States Constitution;
48 (c) the national motto;
49 (d) the pledge of allegiance;
50 (e) the national anthem;
51 (f) the Mayflower Compact;
52 (g) the writings, speeches, documents, and proclamations of the Founders and the
53 Presidents of the United States;
54 (h) organic documents from the pre-Colonial, Colonial, Revolutionary, Federalist, and
55 post Federalist eras;
56 (i) United States Supreme Court decisions;
57 (j) Acts of the United States Congress, including the published text of the

58 Congressional Record; and
59 (k) United States treaties.
60 (4) To increase student understanding of, and familiarity with, American historical
61 documents, public schools may display historically important excerpts from, or copies of, those
62 documents in school classrooms and common areas as appropriate.
63 (5) There shall be no content-based censorship of American history and heritage
64 documents referred to in this section due to their religious or cultural nature.
65 (6) Public schools shall display "In God we trust," which is declared in 36 U.S.C. 302
66 to be the national motto of the United States, in one or more prominent places within each
67 school building.