HBA-NRS H.B. 911 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 911
By: Delisi
Public Education
3/13/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Today's children face tough choices regarding sex, drugs, and violence.
Parents can provide positive guidance in making such choices when a child
is at home, but these same choices may become more difficult when a child
is at school. Character education curriculum introduces children to the
character traits important for participation in a civil society, including
honesty, responsibility, respect, initiative, and compassion, and may
complement the guidance of the child's parents. House Bill 911 encourages
the implementation of comprehensive character education programs within
public school districts. 

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

House Bill 911 encourages school districts to implement a comprehensive,
in-school character education program (program). The bill sets forth
guidelines for such a program and requires a district that implements a
program to incorporate the positive character traits emphasized in the
program into the district's regular curriculum. The bill authorizes the
district to offer the program at one or more grade levels and authorizes
the governor to present a financial award to schools or districts that have
implemented a program that meets the requirements of the bill. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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