MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Perkins

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ALL PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS TO TEACH AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY; TO REQUIRE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO OFFER PROGRAMS OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL EDUCATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The State Board of Education shall require each local school district to include a course of instruction on African-American History as a part of the curriculum of the high schools in that district.

SECTION 2. (1) The Legislature finds that drug and alcohol abuse diminish the strength and vitality of the young people of our nation and state, and an increasing number of substances, both legal and illegal, are being abused by increasing numbers of school children, even at the grade school level. It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage among children in the public schools the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse.

(2) The State Board of Education shall require each local school district to include a program of drug education as a part of the curriculum of the schools in that district. The program shall include age-appropriate drug and alcohol education and prevention instruction for students in kindergarten through Grade 12.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.