SB 1819

For the 2026-2027 school year, and each school year thereafter, this bill requires each public high school to provide students who are enrolled in a United States government and civics course with three civic engagement field days, with one field day for each of the three distinct branches of government. Such a civic engagement field day must meet all of the following criteria:  Include structured learning activities aligned with the state board-adopted academic standards for the United States government and civics course.  For purposes of the civic engagement field day that covers the legislative branch, include a class visit to a city council, county commission, or the general assembly.  For purposes of the civic engagement field day that covers the judicial branch, include a class visit to a courthouse to allow students to observe a judicial proceeding or to meet with a judge or court official.  For purposes of the civic engagement field day that covers the executive branch, include a class visit to the office of a mayor, county executive, or to the office of the governor. If a high school student who is enrolled in the course is absent from school on the day for which a class visit described above occurs, then this bill clarifies that the public high school is not required to reschedule the class visit or arrange for a se parate visit for the absent student. Additionally, a public high school may prohibit a student who is enrolled in the course from attending a class visit described above for disciplinary reasons in accordance with the disciplinary policy of the LEA or pu bl ic charter school. ON MARCH 16, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1819, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 a dds that, if civic engagement field day s are impracticable due to budgetary constraints for the LEA or public high school, then the public high school may participat e in: (1) Verified virtual tours of the locations associated with the three branches of government; (2) State-approved traveling civics programs; or (3) Visits to the public high school by public officials who serve the county in which the public high school is located during which time the students participate in interactive instructional sessions.