Bill Text: TX SB2090 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to inclusion of Bible instruction in the required English language arts curriculum for public school students.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-21 - Referred to Education [SB2090 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-SB2090-Introduced.html
86R11142 TSS-D | ||
By: Hughes | S.B. No. 2090 |
|
||
|
||
relating to inclusion of Bible instruction in the required English | ||
language arts curriculum for public school students. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by | ||
adding Subsections (x) and (y) to read as follows: | ||
(x) In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the | ||
English language arts curriculum under Subsection (a)(1)(A), the | ||
State Board of Education shall adopt essential knowledge and skills | ||
that include instruction on the content, characters, poetry, and | ||
narratives of the Bible that are prerequisites to understanding | ||
United States and Texas history and contemporary society and | ||
culture. In adopting essential knowledge and skills under this | ||
subsection, the board: | ||
(1) may not require a student to use a specific | ||
translation as the sole text of the Bible and must allow the student | ||
to use a different translation from that chosen by the board of | ||
trustees of the student's school district or the student's teacher; | ||
and | ||
(2) shall ensure: | ||
(A) all applicable federal and state guidelines | ||
regarding maintaining religious neutrality and accommodating the | ||
diverse religious views, traditions, and perspectives of students | ||
in their school district are followed; and | ||
(B) a particular religion, nonreligious faith, | ||
or religious perspective is not endorsed, favored, promoted, | ||
disfavored, or shown hostility. | ||
(y) Nothing in Subsection (x) is intended to violate any | ||
provision of the United States Constitution, federal law, the Texas | ||
Constitution, or any state law. | ||
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020 | ||
school year. | ||
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | ||
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | ||
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this | ||
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | ||
Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |