HB0058 • 2022

Constitutional instructional and examination requirements.

AN ACT relating to education; modifying the state and federal constitutional instruction required in public schools; requiring passage of an additional examination for high school graduation as specified; and providing for an effective date.

Education

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Representative Laursen
Last action: 2022-02-18
Official status: inactive
Effective date: 3/1/2022

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify exact grade levels or years for constitutional education, only that it must occur at least three years each academic year from kindergarten through grade twelve.

Constitutional Instruction and Examination Requirements

The bill requires public schools in Wyoming to teach the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, and the Wyoming state constitution, and mandates that students pass a civics test for high school graduation.

What This Bill Does

Requires all public schools in Wyoming to provide instruction on the United States Constitution and the Wyoming State Constitution.
Specifies that this instruction must include specific details about the Bill of Rights and American institutions and ideals.
Adds a requirement for students graduating after the 2022-2023 school year to pass the U.S. citizenship civics test with at least a score of 60% as part of their graduation requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

Public schools in Wyoming
Students attending public schools in Wyoming

Terms To Know

Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that protect individual rights and freedoms.
Civics test: A test given by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to assess knowledge about American government and history, required for naturalization as a U.S. citizen.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass in the session it was introduced.
It is unclear how schools will implement these changes if the bill were to be reintroduced and passed.

Bill History

2022-02-18 House
H Did not Consider for Introduction
2022-02-11 House
H Received for Introduction
2022-02-02 LSO
Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

22LSO-0172
2022
STATE OF WYOMING
22LSO-0172
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0058

Constitutional instructional and examination requirements.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Laursen, Bear, Fortner, Hallinan, Haroldson, Jennings and Rodriguez-Williams and Senator(s) French, James, McKeown, Salazar and Steinmetz

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to education; modifying the state and federal constitutional instruction required in public schools; requiring passage of an additional examination for high school graduation as specified; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 21
‑
9
‑
102 is amended to read:

21
‑
9
‑
102.

Instruction in state and federal constitutions required; satisfactory examinations prerequisite to graduation.

All schools and colleges in this state that are supported in any manner by public funds shall give instruction in the essentials of the United States constitution
, to include specific instruction on the bill of rights,
and the constitution of the state of Wyoming, including the study of and devotion to American institution and ideals, and no student shall receive a high school diploma, associate degree or baccalaureate degree without satisfactorily passing an examination on the principles of the constitution of the United States and the state of Wyoming.
For students graduating in the 2022
‑
2023 school year and each school year thereafter, no student shall receive a high school diploma from a Wyoming school district without also passing the civics test required to become a United States citizen by the United States citizenship and immigration services by a score of at least sixty percent (60%).

The instruction shall be given
for at least three (3) years
each academic year
in kindergarten through grade
eight (8)
twelve (12)
and for one (1) year
each
in
the secondary and
college grades.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2022
.

(END)

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HB0058