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89(R) HB 1579 - Engrossed version - Bill Text
By: Guerra, Talarico, Plesa, Dutton, et al.
H.B. No. 1579
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishing the Texas Seal of Biliteracy for public
high school students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 28.028 to read as follows:
Sec.
28.028.
TEXAS SEAL OF BILITERACY.
(a)
In this
section, "seal"
means the Texas Seal of Biliteracy established
under Subsection (b).
(b)
The agency shall establish a seal to recognize high
school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in
comprehending, speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a
language other than English.
(c)
The agency, in consultation with appropriate
stakeholders, shall:
(1)
determine minimum requirements for earning the
seal, which:
(A)
must be sufficiently rigorous to indicate to
an employer or postsecondary institution that a student who has
earned the seal is biliterate;
(B)
may include completion of a project,
activity, or portfolio; and
(C)
may not condition receipt of the seal on an
examination created for that purpose; and
(2)
prepare and deliver to each school district an
insignia that can be affixed or stamped on the diploma of and adopt
a designation to be included on the transcript of a student who has
satisfied requirements for earning the seal.
(d) Each school district shall:
(1)
maintain appropriate records to identify students
who have earned the seal; and
(2)
for each student who has satisfied requirements
for earning the seal:
(A)
affix the seal's insignia to the student's
diploma; and
(B)
include in the student's transcript that the
student earned the seal.
(e)
The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
administer this section.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.