House Bill No. 7075 mandates that the State Board of Education (SBE) provide curriculum materials on Islamic and Arab studies to local and regional boards of education, encouraging them to incorporate this subject into their instructional programs. This addition is part of a broader initiative to enhance educational offerings, which already includes various studies such as African-American, Puerto Rican, Latino, Native American, and Asian American studies, as well as personal financial management and Holocaust education. The bill aims to ensure that these materials are available within existing appropriations and resources.
The bill repeals and replaces subsection (d) of section 10-16b of the general statutes, specifically removing the phrase "and" before instruction relating to the Safe Haven Act and inserting "and (13) Islamic and Arab studies." This change is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. Importantly, the bill is expected to have no fiscal impact, as the State Department of Education anticipates being able to fulfill these requirements with current resources.