Amend the committee amendment, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Section 59-29-120(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(A)(1) All public high schools, colleges, and universities in this State that are sustained or in any manner supported by public funds shall give instruction in the essentials of the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers, including the study of and devotion to American institutions and ideals, and no. No student in any such high school, college, or university may receive a certificate of graduation without previously passing a satisfactory examination upon the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers, and, if a citizen of the United States, satisfying the examining power of his loyalty thereto.
(2) Each high school must give the instruction required in (A)(1) to each student for at least one year, or its equivalent, during high school."
SECTION 2. Section 59-29-130 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 59-29-130. The instruction provided for in Section 59-29-120 shall be given for at least one year of the high school, college, and university grades, respectively. (A) All public institutions of higher learning, as defined in Section 59-103-5, must give instruction in the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers.
(B) Each public institution of higher learning must require each undergraduate student to complete a course consisting of no fewer than three credit hours in the subject of American government. In addition to the traditional in-classroom format, the course may be offered in an online format, provided the online course satisfies the requirements of this section. Each undergraduate student enrolled in this course must be required to:
(1) read the United States Constitution in its entirety;
(2) read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety;
(3) read a minimum of five essays in their entirety from the Federalist Papers as selected by the instructor of the course; and
(4) pass a final comprehensive examination testing for student proficiency in the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers.
(C)(1) No public institution of higher learning may grant a certificate of graduation for any baccalaureate degree program to any student, unless he successfully completes the course and its requirements as described in subsection (B).
(2) A public institution of higher learning may exempt a student who has completed an Advanced Placement course or dual-credit course with a passing grade in the subject of American government from taking the course described in subsection (B), provided the completed Advanced Placement or duel-credit course satisfies the requirements of subsection (B).
(D) Public institutions of higher learning must ensure the requirements of this Section are incorporated into the degree requirements of all undergraduate degree programs in a manner that:
(1) does not add to the total number of credit hours for any degree; and
(2) does not conflict with any school accreditation process.
(E)(1) The board of trustees of a public institution of higher learning must ensure compliance with all the provisions of this section.
(2) The board must annually collect information necessary to ensure the public institution of higher learning is in compliance with this section. The information must be reported annually to the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, the chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and the chairman of the Commission on Higher Education."
SECTION 3. Section 59-29-140 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 59-29-140. The State Superintendent of Education shall make due appropriate arrangements for carrying out the provisions of Sections 59-29-120 and 59-29-130. For such this purpose, the The State Superintendent Board of Education shall prescribe suitable texts, pursuant to Section 59-5-60(7), adapted to the needs of the high schools, universities and colleges for the instruction required under Sections 59-29-120 and 59-29-130."
SECTION 4. The provisions contained in Section 59-29-130 shall apply to the first incoming freshman class, and each freshman class thereafter, entering a public institution of higher learning after the effective date of this act. Nothing contained in Section 59-29-130 shall be construed to prevent an undergraduate student enrolled at a public institution of higher learning on the effective date of this act from receiving a certificate of graduation.
SECTION 5. This act takes effect one year after approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.