HB977: Public elementary & secondary education; school boards & employees to promote diversity and respect.

HOUSE BILL NO. 977

Offered January 12, 2022
Prefiled January 12, 2022
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-208.03, relating to public elementary and secondary education; school boards and employees; promotion of diversity and respect.
Patron-- McGuire

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 22.1-208.03 as follows:

§ 22.1-208.03. Promotion of diversity and respect in education.

A. Each local school board and employee thereof shall promote (i) diversity and respect, with the understanding that all individuals are created equal and diversity is a strength of the United States, and (ii) the concept that all cultures have contributed greatly to the rich history of the United States and the way of life that Americans enjoy today.

B. No local school board or employee thereof shall train, teach, or promote to enrolled students or school board employees the concept that:

1. Any race is inherently superior or inferior to any other race;

2. Any individual, by virtue of his race or skin color, is inherently racist, privileged, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;

3. Any individual, by virtue of his race or religion, bears responsibility for the actions committed by other members of his race or religion;

4. Any individual's moral character is determined by his race;

5. The United States is a fundamentally or systemically racist country; or

6. Capitalism is an inherently racist economic system.