House Bill 1417

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ACQUIRE AND DISTRIBUTE COPIES OF THE BOOK ONE MISSISSIPPI TO ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS FOR GRADE 2 STUDENTS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP AND PROVIDE A LESSON PLAN TEMPLATE FOR INSTRUCTION ON THE CONTENT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BOOK; TO REQUIRE THE LESSON TO BE ADMINISTERED DURING THE NATIONAL "READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK" OBSERVANCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The Legislature finds that the state song, "One Mississippi," is an important cultural and historical representation of the State of Mississippi. The dissemination and instruction of the book, One Mississippi, which provides context and history about the state song, will promote an understanding of Mississippi's heritage among students and support the development of civic pride.

SECTION 2. (1) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the State Department of Education, subject to appropriation for such purposes, shall acquire sufficient copies of the book, One Mississippi, to distribute to all public school districts and charter schools in the state, which such schools shall receive enough copies to provide every student enrolled in Grade 2 with an individual copy of the book.

(2) The instruction shall be administered annually during the national "Read Across America Week" observance. School districts and charter schools shall ensure that teachers adhere to the lesson plan template when teaching the material.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.