PRINTER'S NO. 887
No. 766 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY McGEEHAN, BELFANTI, DERMODY, GALLOWAY, GOODMAN,
KENNEY, KORTZ, LENTZ, MARKOSEK, McCALL, M. O'BRIEN, QUIGLEY,
REICHLEY, ROEBUCK, SIPTROTH, TANGRETTI, WALKO, STABACK,
YOUNGBLOOD AND MAHONEY, MARCH 19, 2007
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 19, 2007
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2 act relating to the public school system, including certain
3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5 laws relating thereto," requiring instruction on the subjects
6 of human rights violations, genocide, slavery, the mass
7 starvation in Ireland from 1845 to 1850 and the Holocaust.
8 The General Assembly finds, recognizes and affirms the
9 importance to pupils of learning to appreciate the sanctity of
10 life and the dignity of the individual. Pupils must develop a
11 respect for each person as a unique individual and understand
12 the importance of a universal concern for ethics and human
13 rights. Therefore the General Assembly recognizes the importance
14 of teaching our youth ethical and moral behavior specifically
15 relating to human rights violations, genocide issues, slavery,
16 the mass starvation in Ireland from 1845 to 1850 and the
17 Holocaust.
18 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
19 hereby enacts as follows:
1 Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
2 as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding sections
3 to read:
4 Section 1511.2. Patriotism, Citizenship and Human Rights
5 Instruction.--Every public and nonpublic school in kindergarten
6 through grade eight shall provide instruction in patriotism,
7 citizenship and human rights issues. The curriculum for human
8 rights issues shall include the inhumanity of genocide and
9 slavery, and shall pay particular attention to the study of the
10 Holocaust and the Great Irish Famine.
11 Section 1605.1. Patriotism, Citizenship and Human Rights
12 Instruction.--Every public and nonpublic school in grades nine
13 through twelve shall provide instruction in patriotism,
14 citizenship and human rights issues. The curriculum for human
15 rights issues shall include the inhumanity of genocide and
16 slavery, and shall pay particular attention to the study of the
17 Holocaust and the Great Irish Famine.
18 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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