The bill, H.B. No. 1579, proposes the establishment of the Texas State Seal of Bilingualism and Biliteracy for public high school students. It introduces a new section, 28.028, to the Education Code, which defines the seal and outlines the responsibilities of the Texas Education Agency and school districts. The agency is tasked with determining the minimum requirements for earning the seal, ensuring that these requirements are rigorous enough to demonstrate a student's biliteracy to employers and postsecondary institutions. The requirements may include projects or portfolios but cannot be based solely on a specific examination. Additionally, the agency will provide an insignia for diplomas and a designation for transcripts of students who meet the criteria.

School districts are required to maintain records of students who earn the seal and to affix the insignia to their diplomas while noting the achievement on their transcripts. The bill mandates that the commissioner adopt necessary rules for its administration. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, and it will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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