BILL AS INTRODUCED H.740
2024 Page 1 of 4
1 H.740
2 Introduced by Representatives McCann of Montpelier, Chase of Chester, Cole
3 of Hartford, Dolan of Essex Junction, Headrick of Burlington,
4 Hyman of South Burlington, Masland of Thetford, McGill of
5 Bridport, Mrowicki of Putney, Mulvaney-Stanak of Burlington,
6 Priestley of Bradford, and Stone of Burlington
7 Referred to Committee on
8 Date:
9 Subject: Education; courses of study; curriculum; diversity; inclusion
10 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the
11 State Board to adopt standards for the inclusion of the history and
12 contributions to science, the arts, and the humanities of persons who
13 experience marginalization. It also requires supervisory unions and the
14 governing bodies of approved independent schools to include such instruction
15 in their curriculum.
16 An act relating to inclusive curricular standards for the sciences, arts, and
17 humanities VT LEG #373290 v.1
 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.740
2024 Page 2 of 4
1 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
2 Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. § 914 is added to read:
3 § 914. INCLUSIVE CURRICULAR STANDARDS FOR THE
4 SCIENCES, ARTS, AND HUMANITIES
5 (a) Each supervisory union and governing body of an approved
6 independent school shall ensure that instruction is provided to students
7 enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 in each public school and each
8 approved independent school, as applicable, on the history and contributions to
9 science, the arts, and the humanities of:
10 (1) Native Americans and Native American tribes;
11 (2) persons of marginalized sexual orientation or gender identity;
12 (3) persons with disabilities;
13 (4) persons from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, including
14 persons who are African American, Basque, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific
15 Islander;
16 (5) persons from various socioeconomic statuses;
17 (6) immigrants or refugees;
18 (7) persons from various religious backgrounds; and
19 (8) any other group of persons the supervisory union board or governing
20 body of an approved independent school deems appropriate.
VT LEG #373290 v.1
 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.740
2024 Page 3 of 4
1 (b) The standards and content and performance for the instruction required
2 under subsection (a) of this section shall be included in the standards adopted
3 by the State Board of Education pursuant to subdivision 165(a)(3)(B) of this
4 title. The instruction required under subsection (a) shall be:
5 (1) age-appropriate; and
6 (2) included within one or more courses of study for which the State
7 Board has established student performance standards pursuant to subdivision
8 164(9) of this title.
9 Sec. 2. RULEMAKING; STANDARDS FOR STUDENT PERFORMANCE;
10 INCLUSIVE CURRICULAR STANDARDS FOR THE
11 SCIENCES, ARTS, AND HUMANITIES
12 (a) On or before July 1, 2025, the State Board of Education shall amend its
13 rules pursuant 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 to include standards for content and
14 performance for the instruction required under 16 V.S.A. § 914(a).
15 (b) On or before July 1, 2025, the State Board of Education shall adopt
16 standards for student performance pursuant to 16 V.S.A. § 164(9) consistent
17 with the content required under 16 V.S.A. § 914(a).
18 (c) Supervisory unions and governing bodies of approved independent
19 schools shall include the content required pursuant to 16 V.S.A. § 914(a) in
20 their curriculum beginning in the 2025–2026 school year.
VT LEG #373290 v.1
 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.740
2024 Page 4 of 4
1 Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
2 This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
VT LEG #373290 v.1