House Bill 1391

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A CURRICULUM OF INSTRUCTION FOR BASIC CRIMINAL LAW TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY EACH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AT THE START OF THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR FOR GRADES 3-10; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP AGE AND GRADE APPROPRIATE MATERIALS TO BE USED IN THE INSTRUCTION; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO APPROVE MATERIALS TO BE USED BY SCHOOLS PURCHASING INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS; TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE ONE UNIT OF INSTRUCTION IN BASIC CRIMINAL LAW EACH SCHOOL YEAR; AND TO PROVIDE SCHOOLS WITH THE OPTION TO INCLUDE THE INSTRUCTION AS A COMPONENT OF AN EXISTING COURSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. In addition to the curriculum otherwise required by law or by the State Board of Education to be taught in the public schools of this state, the State Department of Education shall establish a curriculum of instruction for basic criminal law to be implemented by each local school district at the start of the 2011-2012 school year for Grades 3-10. The criminal law curriculum may be incorporated as a separate education component of the established curriculum and must include instruction on the principles, elements, penalties and punishments imposed for the crimes of armed robbery and felony murder. The department, in its discretion and with approval by the State Board of Education, may include any additional provisions of criminal law in the established curriculum, including, but not limited to, instruction relating to the following crimes:

(a) Burglary;

(b) Arson;

(d) Kidnapping;

(e) Manslaughter;

(f) Larceny;

(g) Embezzlement; and

(h) False Pretense.

(2) The materials used in the instruction of basic criminal law may be developed by the department and issued to local school districts, provided that the materials are developed in a manner that is age and grade appropriate for the grade levels in which the instruction is required to be provided. If a school district purchases materials to be used for providing instruction, the district must submit the proposed literature and any other materials to the department for approval before use.

(3) Schools shall be required to provide one (1) unit of instruction in basic criminal law each school year; however, the school may determine when the instruction on the subject area is offered.

(4) The local school board shall provide schools in its district the option of including instruction in basic criminal law as a component of an existing course or offering the instruction through an independent course. Courses in which the instruction may be provided, include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Civics;

(b) State and local government;

(d) Social studies;

(d) Behavioral science; and

(e) Ethics.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.