S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5929
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 23, 2009
___________
Introduced by M. of A. TOWNS, KOLB, GREENE -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the pledge of alle-
giance
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 802 of the education law, as
amended by chapter 601 of the laws of 1996, is amended to read as
follows:
1. It shall be the duty of the commissioner to prepare, for the use of
the public schools of the state, a program providing for a salute to the
flag and a daily pledge of allegiance to the flag, and instruction in
its correct use and display which shall include, as a minimum, specific
instruction regarding respect for the flag of the United States of Amer-
ica, its display and use as provided by federal statute and regulation
and such other patriotic exercises as may be deemed by him to be expedi-
ent, under such regulations and instructions as may best meet the varied
requirements of the different grades in such schools. However, such
instruction shall include, as a minimum, the provisions of sections one
hundred seventy through one hundred seventy-seven of title thirty-six of
the United States Code. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ALSO PREPARE, AS PART OF
SUCH PROGRAM, WHICH MAY BE USED BY SCHOOL AUTHORITIES, AN ANNUAL COURSE
OF STUDY OF THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG THAT ENCOURAGES PARTIC-
IPATION IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY STUDENTS AND FACULTY AND THAT
INDICATES THAT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IS TAKEN IN RECOGNITION OF THE
SACRIFICES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES
OF THE UNITED STATES IN DEFENSE OF OUR COUNTRY.
S 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law; provided that the commissioner of education
is authorized to promulgate any rules necessary to implement this act on
or before its effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08628-01-9