CHAPTER 107
SB 45 - FINAL VERSION
02/23/2017 0495s
4May2017... 1447h
2017 SESSION
17-0766
04/03
SENATE BILL 45
AN ACT requiring a course in civics for high school graduation.
SPONSORS: Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Rep. P. Long, Hills. 10
COMMITTEE: Education
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This bill provides that a civics course shall be required for high school graduation.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
02/23/2017 0495s
4May2017... 1447h 17-0766
04/03
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen
AN ACT requiring a course in civics for high school graduation.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
107:1 Instruction in National and State History and Government; Civics Instruction. Amend RSA 189:11 to read as follows:
189:11 Instruction in National and State History and Government.
I. In all public and private schools in the state there shall be given regular courses of instruction in the history, government and constitutions of the United States and New Hampshire, including the organization and operation of New Hampshire municipal, county and state government and of the federal government. Such instruction shall begin not later than the [opening] beginning of the eighth grade and shall continue in all high [school] schools as [an identifiable] a component of a [year's] one credit course of instruction required for high school graduation in [the history and government of the] United States and New Hampshire history and a one-half credit course of instruction required for high school graduation in United States and New Hampshire government/civics. A school district shall develop and offer the United States and New Hampshire government/civics course and at a minimum, the course shall include instruction in the following areas:
(a) Opportunities and responsibilities for civic involvement.
(b) Skills to effectively participate in civic affairs.
(c) The U.S. Constitution and the principles stated in the Articles and Amendments of the U.S. Constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of the United States.
(d) The New Hampshire constitution and the principles stated in the articles of the New Hampshire constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of New Hampshire.
(e) The structure and functions of the 3 branches comprising federal and state governments: legislative, judicial, and executive.
(f) The role, opportunities, and responsibilities of a citizen to engage in civic activity.
(g) The role and interactions of the state of New Hampshire and local governments within the framework of the U.S. Constitution and of extended powers and functions provided to local governments.
(h) How federal, state, and local governments address problems and issues by making decisions, creating laws, enforcing regulations, and taking action.
(i) The role and actions of government in the flow of economic activity and the regulation of monetary policy.
II. As a component of instruction under paragraph I, a locally developed competency assessment of United States government and civics that includes, but is not limited to, the nature, purpose, structure, function, and history of the United States government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and noteworthy government and civic leaders, shall be administered to students as part of the high school course in history and government of the United States and New Hampshire. Students who attain a passing grade on the competency assessment shall be eligible for a certificate issued by the school district. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test may be used to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph.
107:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: June 08, 2017
Effective Date: August 07, 2017
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 24, 2017 | Senate | Hearing |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| March 15, 2017 | House | Hearing |
| April 19, 2017 | House | Exec Session |
| May 4, 2017 | House | Floor Vote |
Aug. 7, 2017: Signed by the Governor on 06/08/2017; Chapter 0107; Effective 08/07/2017
May 18, 2017: Enrolled (In recess 05/18/2017); SJ 18
May 18, 2017: Enrolled 05/18/2017 HJ 16 P. 9
May 11, 2017: Sen. Reagan Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/11/2017; SJ 16
May 4, 2017: Ought to Pass with Amendment 1447h: MA VV 05/04/2017 HJ 15 P. 3
May 4, 2017: Amendment # 2017-1447h: AA VV 05/04/2017 HJ 15 P. 3
May 4, 2017: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2017-1447h for 05/04/2017 (Vote 19-0; CC) HC 22 P. 4
April 19, 2017: Executive Session: 04/19/2017 LOB 207
April 18, 2017: Full Committee Work Session: 04/18/2017 01:00 PM LOB 305-307
April 4, 2017: ==CANCELLED== Full Committee Work Session: 04/04/2017 11:15 AM LOB 207
March 28, 2017: Full Committee Work Session: 03/28/2017 10:00 AM LOB 207
March 15, 2017: Public Hearing: 03/15/2017 09:45 AM LOB 207
Feb. 16, 2017: Introduced 02/16/2017 and referred to Education HJ 8 P. 45
Feb. 23, 2017: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2017-0495s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/23/2017; SJ 7
Feb. 23, 2017: Committee Amendment # 2017-0495s, AA, VV; 02/23/2017; SJ 7
Feb. 23, 2017: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2017-0495s, 02/23/2017; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
Jan. 24, 2017: Hearing: 01/24/2017, Room 103, LOB, 09:00 am; SC 7
Jan. 5, 2017: Introduced 01/05/2017 and Referred to Education; SJ 4