HB 7082 Summary

• Amends public school curriculum requirements to include African-American and black studies and Puerto Rican and Latino studies as mandatory subject matter beginning July 1, 2021.

• Requires the State Education Resource Center to develop a one-credit high school black and Latino studies course for approval by the State Board of Education by January 1, 2021.

• Makes the black and Latino studies course optional for local and regional boards of education starting July 1, 2021, and mandatory starting July 1, 2022, for grades 9-12.

• Authorizes the State Board of Education to provide curriculum materials and assistance to local and regional boards for developing instructional programs in African-American, black, Puerto Rican, and Latino studies.

• Requires the Department of Education to conduct annual audits from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2024 to verify that all local and regional boards are offering the black and Latino studies course.