HBA-MPM, JEK C.S.H.B. 1776 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 1776
By: Green
Public Education
3/25/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Studying the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution
educates students about the principles behind the founding of this country.
C.S.H.B. 1776 establishes the last week in September of each school year as
Celebrate Freedom Week, and sets forth provisions regarding an in-depth
study of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution
as well as the daily recitation of an excerpt from the Declaration of
Independence. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1776 amends the Education Code to require public schools to
recognize the last full week of classes in September as Celebrate Freedom
Week.  The bill provides that Celebrate Freedom Week must include at least
three hours of appropriate instruction, as determined by each school
district, in each social studies class. The bill sets forth provision
relating to the study of the Declaration of Independence and requires the
instruction to include an in-depth study of the intent, meaning, and
importance of the Declaration of Independence and the United States
Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in historical context.  

C.S.H.B. 1776 provides that a school district shall require its students in
grade levels 3 through 12 to recite specific text from the Declaration of
Independence at the beginning of each school day during Celebrate Freedom
Week.  The recitation requirement does not apply to any student who has a
conscientious objection to the recitation or who is the child of a
representative of a foreign government to whom the United States government
extends diplomatic immunity.  The bill requires a school district to excuse
a student from the recitation on written request from the student's parent
or guardian.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. This Act applies beginning with the
2001-2002 school year. 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1776 differs from the original by recognizing the last full week
of classes in September as Celebrate Freedom Week.  The substitute only
requires students in grade levels 3 through 12 rather than all students to
recite an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence during Celebrate
Freedom Week, rather than every school day.  The substitute removes
provisions from the original bill relating to requirements for the State
Board of Education.