HB706: HB706 Quality Basic Education Act; history of Black Americans; provide coursework

25 LC 49 2312 House Bill 706 By: Representatives Adesanya of the 43rd, McQueen of the 61st, Olaleye of the 59th, Dawson of the 65th, and Cannon of the 58th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide for coursework and2 educational programs and activities on the history of Black Americans through the history3 of the United States and their contributions to American societ y; to provide for related4 matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the8 "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended in Part 2, relating t o competencies and core9 curriculum, by revising subsections (c) and (e) Code Section 20 -2-142.1, relating to10 coursework in the founding philosophy and principles of the Uni ted States of America, as11 follows:12 "(c) Each local board of education may require all students, as a condition of graduation,13 during their ninth through twelfth grade years to complete and pass a separate semester14 course covering the following founding philosophy and principles of the United States of15 America:16 H. B. 706 - 1 - 25 LC 49 2312 (1) America's founding philosophy, to include at least the following:17 (A) As articulated in the Declaration of Independence the foun dational idea of the18 Creator-endowed Creator endowed unalienable rights of the people;19 (B) The purpose of limited government, which is to protect the unalienable rights of20 the people and to protect the people from violence and fraud;21 (C) The structure of government, separation of powers, and checks and balances; and22 (D) The rule of law, with frequent and free elections in a rep resentative government23 which governs by majority vote within a constitutional framework;24 (2) America's founding principles, to include at least the following:25 (A) Federalism-government as close to the people as possible, limited federal26 government, and strong state and local government;27 (B) Freedoms of speech, press, religion, and peaceful assembly guaranteed by the Bill28 of Rights;29 (C) Rights to private property and freedom of individual enterprise;30 (D) The innocence of any crime until proven guilty, with right of habeas corpus, and31 no unreasonable searches, seizures, or cruel and unusual punishment;32 (E) A virtuous and moral people educated in the philosophy and principles of33 government for a free people;34 (F) The right to a speedy trial by a jury of peers;35 (G) The principles of economy in spending, constitutional limitations on government36 power to tax and spend, and prompt payment of public debt;37 (H) Economic system of money with intrinsic value;38 (I) Equality before the law and due process of law with grand jury indictment for39 capital crimes before holding a person to account;40 (J) The right of people to keep and bear arms, strong defense capability, supremacy of41 civil authority over military;42 H. B. 706 - 2 - 25 LC 49 2312 (K) Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with43 none;44 (L) All laws concise and understandable by the people and not ex post facto laws;45 (M) Eternal vigilance by 'We the People'; and46 (N) Founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the United States47 Constitution, and the Federalist Papers; and48 (3) Transformational movements in American history, to include at least the following:49 (A) The antislavery movement;50 (B) The Civil Rights movement;51 (C) Women's suffrage;52 (D) The contributions of immigrants to American society; and53 (E) The history of the Native American population; and54 (F) The history of Black Americans, including both the struggles and the triumphs of55 Black Americans throughout the history of the United States and the contributions of56 Black Americans to American society."57 "(e) This Code section shall apply beginning in school year 2017-2018 2025-2026."58 SECTION 2.59 Said article is further amended in Part 14, relating to other educational programs, by revising60 Code Section 20-2-308, which is reserved, as follows:61 "20-2-308.62 Each local education agency, as such term is defined in Code Se ction 20-2-167.1, shall63 require each school it operates to conduct educational programs and activities equal to at64 least one class period addressing the history of Black American s, including both the65 struggles and the triumphs of Black Americans throughout the history of the United States66 and the contributions of Black Americans to American society. Schools are encouraged67 H. B. 706 - 3 - 25 LC 49 2312 to focus educational programs and activities on the topics provided for in this Code section68 during the month of February. Reserved."69 SECTION 3.70 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.71 H. B. 706 - 4 -