CO LGBT History Education Law (2019)

Colorado: HOUSE BILL 19-1192

CONCERNING THE INCLUSION OF MATTERS RELATING TO AMERICAN MINORITIES IN THE TEACHING OF SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, ESTABLISHING THE HISTORY, CULTURE, SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN EDUCATION COMMISSION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCLUDE THE HISTORY, CULTURE, AND SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICAN INDIANS, LATINOS, AFRICAN AMERICANS, AND ASIAN AMERICANS, THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THESE MINORITY GROUPS, THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND PERSECUTION OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES, AND THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES WITHIN THESE COMMUNITIES, IN THE TEACHING AND CONTENT STANDARDS FOR HISTORY AND CIVICS, AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 22-1-104 as follows:

22-1-104. Teaching of history, culture, and civil government.

(1) The history and civil government of the United States AND OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, which includes the history, culture, and SOCIAL contributions of minorities, including, but not limited to, American Indians, LATINOS, African Americans, AND ASIAN AMERICANS, THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THESE MINORITY GROUPS, AND THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES WITHIN THESE COMMUNITIES, AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND PERSECUTION OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES, MUST be taught in all the public schools of the state.

(2) Satisfactory completion of a course on the civil government of the United States and the state of Colorado, INCLUDING the subjects described in SUBSECTION (1) of this section, IS a condition of high school graduation in the public schools of this state.

(3) (a) In an effort to increase civic participation among young people, each school district board of education shall convene a community forum on a periodic basis, but not less than once every sIx years, for all interested persons to discuss adopted content standards in civics, including the subjects described in SUBSECTION (1) of this section.
THE HISTORY, CULTURE, SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN EDUCATION COMMISSION ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 22-1-104.3 SHALL ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN ANY SUCH FORUMS.

(b) Based upon input from this community forum, each school district board of education shall determine how the subject areas specified in SUBSECTION (1) OF this section are addressed when establishing graduation requirements.

(4) (a) In an effort to strengthen the teaching of the history, CULTURE, SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT of the state of Colorado and of the United States in all public schools of the state in accordance with the requirements of this section, the department of education, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HISTORY, CULTURE, SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN EDUCATION COMMISSION ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 22-1-104.3, shall assist the school districts of the state in developing and promoting programs for elementary and secondary students that engage the students in the process of discovery and interpretation of THE SUBJECTS AND TOPICS SET FORTH IN
SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION.

(b) The department of education is authorized to accept gifts, grants, and donations in furtherance of the objectives specified in SUBSECTION (4)(a) OF THIS SECTION.

(c) It is the intent of the general assembly that the objectives specified in SUBSECTION (4)(a) OF THIS SECTION are to-be funded through the state education fund created in section 17 (4) of article IX of the state constitution. The general assembly hereby finds that the development, promotion, and maintenance by the school districts of the state of programs for elementary and secondary students that engage such students in the process of discovery and interpretation of
THE SUBJECTS AND TOPICS SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION
(1) OF THIS SECTION ASSIST these students in meeting state academic standards and may therefore be funded from MONEY in the state education fund.

(5) (a) In an effort to strengthen the teaching of HISTORY, CULTURE, SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT, AS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION, in all public schools of the state in accordance with the requirements of this section, the department of education, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HISTORY, CULTURE, SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN EDUCATION COMMISSION ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 22-1-104.3, shall assist the school districts of the state in developing and promoting programs for elementary and secondary students that address the state model content standards for HISTORY AND civics and promote best practices WHILE ALSO ADDRESSING THE SUBJECTS AND TOPICS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION.

(b) It is the intent of the general assembly that the objectives specified in this SUBSECTION (5) are to In, funded through the state education fund created in section 17 (4) of article IX of the state constitution. The general assembly hereby finds that the development, promotion, and maintenance by the school districts of the state of programs for elementary and secondary students that address the state model content standards for HISTORY AND civics and promote best practices WHILE ADDRESSING THE SUBJECTS AND TOPICS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION assist these students in meeting state
academic standards and may therefore be funded from MONEY in the state education fund.

(6) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HISTORY, CULTURE, SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN EDUCATION COMMISSION ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 22-1-104.3 WHEN PERFORMING ITS SIX-YEAR REVIEW OF THE STATE'S EDUCATION STANDARDS PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-7-1005 (6).

SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-1-104.3 as
follows:

22-1-104.3. History, culture, and civil government in education commission - established - membership - duties.

(1) THERE IS ESTABLISHED THE HISTORY, CULTURE, SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN EDUCATION COMMISSION, REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION AS THE "COMMISSION". THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REGULAR SIX-YEAR REVIEW OF THE STATE'S EDUCATION STANDARDS AND PROGRAMS PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-7-1005 (6). THE RECOMMENDATIONS MUST SEEK TO FURTHER THE DISCOVERY, INTERPRETATION, AND LEARNING OF THE HISTORY, CULTURE, SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND COLORADO, INCLUDING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICAN INDIANS, LATINOS, AFRICAN AMERICANS, AND ASIAN AMERICANS, THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THESE MINORITY GROUPS, AND THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES WITHIN THESE COMMUNITIES, AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND PERSECUTION OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES. THE COMMISSION SHALL WORK COOPERATIVELY AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF EDUCATION AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 22-1-104.

(2) THE COMMISSION CONSISTS OF SIXTEEN MEMBERS AND, TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, MUST INCLUDE PERSONS FROM THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND MUST REFLECT THE ETHNIC DIVERSITY OF THE STATE. A MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSION MEMBERS MUST HAVE EITHER CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE OR EXPERIENCE IN DEVELOPING EDUCATION CONTENT STANDARDS. ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 15, 2019, THE APPOINTING OFFICIALS SHALL APPOINT MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION AS FOLLOWS:

(a) THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT, THROUGH THE OFFICE OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION:

(I) TWO MEMBERS FROM THE AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY;

(II) TWO MEMBERS FROM THE LATINO COMMUNITY;

(III) TWO MEMBERS FROM THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY;

(IV) TWO MEMBERS FROM THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY;

(V) ONE MEMBER FROM THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND
TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY;

(VI) ONE MEMBER WHO IS A TEACHER AND HOLDS AN INITIAL OR PROFESSIONAL TEACHER LICENSE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 60.5 OF TITLE 22; (VII) ONE MEMBER FROM AN ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS EITHER SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS OR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS; AND

(VIII) TWO MEMBERS REPRESENTING HIGHER EDUCATION. ONEMEMBER MUST REPRESENT A LARGE STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND ONE MEMBER MUST REPRESENT A SMALLER STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

(b) THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION SHALL APPOINT TWO MEMBERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHO ARE NONVOTING MEMBERS; AND

(c) THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, ESTABLISHED IN PART 2 OF ARTICLE 80 OF TITLE 24, OR THE PRESIDENT'S DESIGNEE, WHO IS A NONVOTING MEMBER.

(3) COMMISSION MEMBERS SERVE FOR TERMS OF FOUR YEARS; EXCEPT THAT, OF THE MEMBERS FIRST APPOINTED, TWO MEMBERS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO EACH OF SUBSECTIONS (2)(a)(I), (2)(a)(II), AND (2)(a)(III) OF THIS SECTION AND ONE MEMBER APPOINTED PURSUANT TO
SUBSECTION (2)(a)(IV) OF THIS SECTION, AS DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR, SERVE INITIAL TERMS OF TWO YEARS. THE APPOINTING OFFICIALS SHALL FILL ANY VACANCIES ON THE COMMISSION FOR THE REMAINDER OF ANY UNEXPIRED TERM.
(4) BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER 2019, THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET
A MINIMUM OF TWO TIMES PER YEAR AND ADDITIONALLY AS NEEDED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE COMMUNITY FORUMS ESTABLISHED IN SECTION
22-1-104 (3)(a).
(5) COMMISSION MEMBERS SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION BUT
MAY BE REIMBURSED FOR ACTUAL AND REASONABLE EXPENSES INCURRED
IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-7-1005, amend (6)
as follows: 22-7-1005. Preschool through elementary and secondary
education - aligned standards - adoption - revisions. (6) On or before
July 1, 2018, and on or before July 1 every six years thereafter, the state
board shall review and adopt any appropriate revisions to the preschool
through elementary and secondary education standards specified in this
section. In adopting revisions, the state board may add or delete one or more
of the specific instructional areas based on the needs of the state and
changes in national and international academic expectations. In adopting revisions to the standards pursuant to this subsection (6), the state board
shall ensure that the standards continue to meet the requirements specified
in subsection (3) of this section. IN ADOPTING REVISIONS TO THE STANDARDS
RELATED TO HISTORY AND CIVICS, THE STATE BOARD SHALL TAKE INTO
CONSIDERATION ANY RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED BY THE HISTORY,
CULTURE, SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN EDUCATION
COMMISSION ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 22-1-104.3.

SECTION 4. Appropriation. For the 2019-20 state fiscal year, $37,495 is appropriated to the department of education. This appropriation is from the state education fund created in section 17 (4)(a) of article IX of the state constitution. To implement this act, the department may use this appropriation for content specialists.

SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.