S.B. 151

             1     

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM INSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Stuart C. Reid

             5     
House Sponsor: ____________

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill provides for instruction in American history to include a study of religious
             10      freedom.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    requires instruction in American history in public schools to include a study of
             14      religious freedom granted by the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause
             15      of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution;
             16          .    requires a higher education student to demonstrate a knowledge of religious
             17      freedom granted by the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the
             18      First Amendment to the United States Constitution, prior to receiving a bachelor's
             19      degree or teaching credential; and
             20          .    makes technical changes.
             21      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             22          None
             23      Other Special Clauses:
             24          None
             25      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             26      AMENDS:
             27           53A-13-101.4 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 298


             28           53B-16-103 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 1988, Chapter 137
             29     
             30      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             31          Section 1. Section 53A-13-101.4 is amended to read:
             32           53A-13-101.4. Instruction in American history and government -- Study and
             33      posting of American heritage documents.
             34          (1) The Legislature recognizes that a proper understanding of American history and
             35      government is essential to good citizenship, and that the public schools are the primary public
             36      institutions charged with responsibility for assisting children and youth in gaining that
             37      understanding.
             38          (2) (a) The State Board of Education and local school boards shall periodically review
             39      school curricula and activities to ensure that effective instruction in American history and
             40      government is taking place in the public schools.
             41          (b) The boards shall solicit public input as part of the review process.
             42          (c) Instruction in American history and government shall include a study of:
             43          (i) forms of government, such as a republic, a pure democracy, a monarchy, and an
             44      oligarchy;
             45          (ii) political philosophies and economic systems, such as socialism, individualism, and
             46      free market capitalism; [and]
             47          (iii) the United States' form of government, a compound constitutional republic[.]; and
             48          (iv) religious freedom granted by the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise
             49      Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
             50          (3) School curricula and activities shall include a thorough study of historical
             51      documents such as:
             52          (a) the Declaration of Independence;
             53          (b) the United States Constitution;
             54          (c) the national motto;
             55          (d) the pledge of allegiance;
             56          (e) the national anthem;
             57          (f) the Mayflower Compact;
             58          (g) the writings, speeches, documents, and proclamations of the Founders and the


             59      Presidents of the United States;
             60          (h) organic documents from the pre-Colonial, Colonial, Revolutionary, Federalist, and
             61      post Federalist eras;
             62          (i) United States Supreme Court decisions;
             63          (j) Acts of the United States Congress, including the published text of the
             64      Congressional Record; and
             65          (k) United States treaties.
             66          (4) To increase student understanding of, and familiarity with, American historical
             67      documents, public schools may display historically important excerpts from, or copies of, those
             68      documents in school classrooms and common areas as appropriate.
             69          (5) There shall be no content-based censorship of American history and heritage
             70      documents referred to in this section due to their religious or cultural nature.
             71          (6) Public schools shall display "In God we trust," which is declared in 36 U.S.C. 302
             72      to be the national motto of the United States, in one or more prominent places within each
             73      school building.
             74          Section 2. Section 53B-16-103 is amended to read:
             75           53B-16-103. Granting of degrees, diplomas, or certification -- Board approval --
             76      Termination of previous approval.
             77          (1) (a) An institution of higher education may not issue a degree, diploma, or certificate
             78      unless it first receives approval from the board of the adequacy of the study for which the
             79      degree, diploma, or certificate is offered.
             80          (b) A student shall demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the history, principles,
             81      form of government, and economic system of the United States, including religious freedom
             82      granted by the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to
             83      the United States Constitution, prior to receiving a bachelor's degree or teaching credential.
             84          (2) Degrees, diplomas, and certificates issued prior to the effective date of this chapter
             85      do not require board approval.
             86          (3) The board may terminate the granting of previously approved degrees, diplomas,
             87      and certificates if they are inconsistent with the role prescribed by the board for the affected
             88      institution.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-27-14 2:09 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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