H.F. No. 704 Summary

• Amends high school graduation requirements to include ethnic studies as part of the three and one-half required social studies credits, effective for students beginning 9th grade in 2022-2023 school year and later.

• Requires every public school to offer one or more ethnic studies courses covering topics including Latinx Studies, African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Indigenous/First Nations Studies, or Ethnic Studies 101, with students beginning 9th grade in 2023-2024 required to complete a semester-long ethnic studies course for graduation.

• Mandates elementary and middle schools provide ethnic studies curriculum by the 2024-2025 school year and requires school districts to conduct needs assessments with students, parents, and community members.

• Establishes a 25-member Ethnic Studies Task Force to develop curriculum standards, materials, and resources; task force members receive $250 monthly stipends and must submit recommendations to the commissioner of education by October 31, 2022.

• Appropriates funding for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 (amounts unspecified in bill) for the task force and ethnic studies implementation, with continued funding authorized for fiscal year 2024 and beyond.