See other bills
under the
same topic
PRINTER'S NO. 2568
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2204
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY ROTHMAN, KINSEY, LEWIS DELROSSO, JAMES, SANCHEZ,
N. NELSON, ROWE AND O'MARA, DECEMBER 22, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, DECEMBER 22, 2021
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,
providing for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., nonviolence and
civil rights instruction.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1555. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nonviolence and
Civil Rights Instruction.-- (a) Beginning with the 2023-2024
school year, and each school year thereafter, a school entity
shall offer instruction in the events of the Civil Rights
Movement during the period from 1954 to 1968. The instruction
shall be integrated within the social studies course of study
required in accordance with the State academic standards
approved by the State Board of Education. The instruction may
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
also be integrated in other appropriate courses of study. The
instruction shall include:
(1) Jim Crow-era laws in the United States, including laws
which embodied the "separate but equal" doctrine.
(2) The leadership and tactics and strategies of nonviolent
resistance to Jim Crow-era laws championed by Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.
(3) The principles of natural rights and natural law which
informed the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
(4) Passage of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960 and 1964.
(5) Passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
(b) No later than twelve (12) months after the effective
date of this section, the department shall develop model
curriculum and curriculum guidelines for the instruction
required under subsection (a). The model curriculum and
curriculum guidelines shall:
(1) Be age appropriate.
(2) Provide guidance for integration into social studies
courses or other appropriate courses of study.
(3) Be made available to all school entities.
(c) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"School entity." A school district, intermediate unit, area
career and technical school, charter school, cyber charter
school or regional charter school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
20210HB2204PN2568 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29