HB259 Summary

• Allows local boards of education to offer life skills instruction in grades 6-12 beginning with the 2022-2023 school year as either an elective course or component within health education and physical education courses.

• Personal finance literacy curriculum includes savings, investments, wealth building, credit management, consumer awareness, financial responsibility, insurance, and real estate considerations.

• Personal rights instruction covers state election laws, voter registration, the election process, absentee ballots, party structures, and study of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

• Good citizenship instruction addresses honesty, respect for authority and property, community obligations, interactions with law enforcement and courts, and prevention of gang and youth violence.

• Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules and policies for implementation, including ensuring submitted curriculum standards meet the same academic rigor as other approved elective courses.