AN ACT relating to Constitution Day.

UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 461
Page 1 of 3
XXXX 11/10/2025 3:00 PM Jacketed
AN ACT relating to Constitution Day. 1
WHEREAS, in the summer of 1787, 55 delegates from throughout the fledgling 2
United States, intent on erecting a government tha t would stand the test of time and 3
protect the hard -won freedoms secured during the Revolutionary War, gathered at the 4
Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia; and 5
WHEREAS, the document they produced – our Constitution – remains the bedrock 6
of our system of government, one rooted in equality under the law and an unyielding 7
commitment to individual liberty; and 8
WHEREAS, with profound wisdom, the framers of our Constitution divided 9
political power among three separate and coequal branches, and further betwee n the 10
Federal and State governments, ensuring that a government of the people, by the people, 11
and for the people would remain accountable to its citizens, from whom all legitimate 12
political power is derived; and 13
WHEREAS, our Constitution outlines a governm ent that encourages individuals to 14
flourish while still empowering the states to perform necessary functions like protecting 15
law and order and providing essential public goods; and 16
WHEREAS, this revolutionary concept has made and continues to make our Nati on 17
the most free and just society in the world; and 18
WHEREAS, the events surrounding the crafting and signing of the Constitution of 19
the United States of America by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention not only 20
have significance for every American , but are also honored in public schools across the 21
nation on September 17 of each year, which is known as Constitution Day; and 22
WHEREAS, we recognize that each generation needs to renew the spirit of 23
America by upholding our constitutional system, honorin g its framers and those who 24
have sacrificed to defend it, and embracing the duty we as citizens have to preserve the 25
society it has built; and 26
WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes the importance of commemorating 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 461
Page 2 of 3
XXXX 11/10/2025 3:00 PM Jacketed
Constitution Day and teaching Kentucky's youth of the meaning and significance of our 1
Nation's founding documents; 2
NOW, THEREFORE, 3
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 4
SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 158 IS CREATED TO 5
READ AS FOLLOWS: 6
(1) All public schools shall observe Constitution Day under this section. 7
(2) On September 17 of each year, or one (1) of the five (5) school days preceding 8
September 17, one (1) class or instructional period shall be devoted to the 9
observance of Constitution Day. 10
(3) A Constitution Day program shall provide instruction, in a classroom or assembly 11
setting, that at a minimum consists of: 12
(a) A timeline of events leading to the creation of the Constitution of the United 13
States; 14
(b) The contents of the Constitution of the United States; and 15
(c) A brief demonstration of how students can locate the text of the 16
fundamental American documents and speeches identified in KRS 17
158.196(3)(a). 18
(4) School districts are encouraged to collaborate with the entities referenced in 19
subsection (6) of this section to provide eighth grade students with a po cket size 20
edition of the Constitution of the United States at no cost to the district. 21
(5) The department shall develop and maintain a web -based resource for 22
Constitution Day programming to be provided to all public schools no later than 23
August 1 of each y ear. The resource shall include but not be limited to sample 24
lesson plans and activities. 25
(6) To develop a Constitution Day program, public schools are encouraged to seek 26
advice or resources for programming from: 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 461
Page 3 of 3
XXXX 11/10/2025 3:00 PM Jacketed
(a) The department's web -based Constitution Day resource, as identified in 1
subsection (5) of this section; 2
(b) The Kentucky Historical Society; 3
(c) The Department for Libraries and Archives; and 4
(d) Civic service organizations including but not limited to the Daughters of the 5
American Revolution, t he National Society of the Sons of the American 6
Revolution, and the 917 Society. 7
(7) The department shall encourage schools certified under KRS 156.160(2) to 8
participate in the observation of Constitution Day in accordance with this section. 9
Section 2. This Act may be cited as the Honoring Our Constitution Act. 10