S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6603
2013-2014 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
April 12, 2013
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Introduced by M. of A. COOK, ROBINSON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A.
BOYLAND, CLARK, GOTTFRIED, HOOPER, JACOBS, MAISEL, ORTIZ, RIVERA,
WRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring a curriculum
of study in federal, state and local government
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 801-b
to read as follows:
S 801-B. COURSES OF INSTRUCTION IN FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERN-
MENT. 1. IN ORDER TO PROMOTE A SPIRIT OF CITIZENSHIP IN THE CHILDREN OF
THE STATE AND MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL QUALITIES WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL IN
PREPARING TO MEET THE OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENSHIP IN PEACE OR IN WAR, THE
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL PRESCRIBE
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION IN FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO BE
MAINTAINED AND FOLLOWED IN ALL THE SCHOOLS OF THE STATE. THE BOARDS OF
EDUCATION AND TRUSTEES OF THE SEVERAL CITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF THE
STATE SHALL REQUIRE INSTRUCTION TO BE GIVEN IN SUCH COURSES, BY THE
TEACHERS EMPLOYED IN THE SCHOOLS THEREIN. ALL PUPILS ATTENDING SUCH
SCHOOLS, OVER THE AGE OF EIGHT YEARS, SHALL ATTEND UPON SUCH INSTRUC-
TION.
SIMILAR COURSES OF INSTRUCTION SHALL BE PRESCRIBED AND MAINTAINED IN
PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE STATE, AND ALL PUPILS IN SUCH SCHOOLS OVER EIGHT
YEARS OF AGE SHALL ATTEND UPON SUCH COURSES. IF SUCH COURSES ARE NOT SO
ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL, ATTENDANCE UPON INSTRUC-
TION IN SUCH SCHOOL SHALL NOT BE DEEMED SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT TO
INSTRUCTION GIVEN TO PUPILS OF LIKE AGE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE
CITY OR DISTRICT IN WHICH SUCH PUPILS RESIDE.
2. THE REGENTS SHALL DETERMINE THE SUBJECTS TO BE INCLUDED IN SUCH
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION IN FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE
PERIOD OF INSTRUCTION IN EACH OF THE GRADES IN SUCH SUBJECTS. THEY SHALL
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06582-01-3
A. 6603 2
ADOPT RULES PROVIDING FOR ATTENDANCE UPON SUCH INSTRUCTION AND FOR SUCH
OTHER MATTERS AS ARE REQUIRED FOR CARRYING INTO EFFECT THE OBJECTS AND
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
ENFORCEMENT OF THIS SECTION AND SHALL CAUSE TO BE INSPECTED AND SUPER-
VISE THE INSTRUCTION TO BE GIVEN IN SUCH SUBJECTS. THE COMMISSIONER MAY,
IN HIS DISCRETION, CAUSE ALL OR A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL MONEY TO
BE APPORTIONED TO A DISTRICT OR CITY TO BE WITHHELD FOR FAILURE OF THE
SCHOOL AUTHORITIES OF SUCH DISTRICT OR CITY TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION IN
SUCH COURSES AND TO COMPEL ATTENDANCE UPON SUCH INSTRUCTION, AS HEREIN
PRESCRIBED, AND FOR A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE RULES OF THE REGENTS
ADOPTED AS HEREIN PROVIDED.
S 2. This act shall take effect on the first of September next
succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.