89R14813 RDR-F     By: Olcott H.B. No. 3579       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to eliminating the requirement for personal skills   instruction in public schools.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 29.906, Education Code,   is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 29.906.  CHARACTER TRAITS [AND PERSONAL SKILLS]   INSTRUCTION.          SECTION 2.  Sections 29.906(a), (b), and (c), Education   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a)  The State Board of Education shall integrate positive   character traits [and personal skills] into the essential knowledge   and skills adopted for kindergarten through grade 12, as   appropriate.          (b)  The State Board of Education must include the following   positive character traits [and personal skills]:                (1)  courage;                (2)  trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability,   punctuality, and loyalty;                (3)  integrity;                (4)  respect and courtesy;                (5)  responsibility, including accountability,   diligence, perseverance, [self-management skills,] and   self-control;                (6)  fairness, including justice and freedom from   prejudice;                (7)  caring, including kindness, empathy, compassion,   consideration, patience, generosity, and charity[, and   interpersonal skills];                (8)  good citizenship, including patriotism, concern   for the common good and the community, [responsible decision-making   skills,] and respect for authority and the law;                (9)  school pride; and                (10)  gratitude.          (c)  Each school district and open-enrollment charter school   must adopt a character education program that includes the positive   character traits [and personal skills] listed in Subsection (b).   In developing or selecting a character education program under this   section, a school district shall consult with a committee selected   by the district that consists of:                (1)  parents of district students;                (2)  educators; and                (3)  other members of the community, including   community leaders.          SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.