Bill > S3764

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the Commission on Asian Heritage within the Department of Education. Notwithstanding its allocation, the commission is independent of any supervision or control by the department. The purpose of the commission is to survey, design, encourage, and promote the implementation of Asian cultural and educational programs in this State. Under the bill, the commission will: · provide assistance and advice to the public and nonpublic schools of the State with respect to the implementation of cultural and educational programs concerning people of Asian descent; · meet with county and local school officials and other interested public and private organizations for the purpose of assisting with the planning, coordination, or modification of courses of study dealing with issues, matters, and subjects concerning or relating to the culture, history, and heritage of people of Asian descent; · survey and catalog the extent and breadth of Asian heritage cultural awareness and educational programs presently being incorporated into the curricula and taught in the school systems of the State; · compile a roster of individual volunteers who are willing to share their knowledge and experience in classrooms, seminars, and workshops on subjects concerning and relating to the culture, history, and heritage of people of Asian descent; and · coordinate events observing the culture, history, and heritage of people of Asian descent and seek volunteers who are willing and able to participate in commemorative events that will enhance student awareness of the significance of the culture, history, and heritage of Asians. The commission will consist of 21 members, including the Commissioner of Education and the chair of the executive board of the Presidents' Council, ex officio, or their designees, and 19 public members, including: five members appointed by the President of the Senate, at least one of whom has a Masters' degree in an area of Asian studies or culture; five members appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, at least one of whom has a Masters' degree in an area of Asian studies or culture; and nine members appointed by the Governor, no less than four of whom have, at the time of their appointment, at least a Masters' degree in an area of Asian studies or culture. The public members are required to be residents of the State who have served prominently as spokespersons for, or as leaders of, organizations in the Asian heritage community which serve members of religious, ethnic, national heritage, or social groups or who are experienced in the field of Asian heritage education. At least one-half of the public members must be of Asian descent.

Committee Categories

Vin Gopal (D)*,  Gordon Johnson (D)*,  Loretta Weinberg (D)*,  Daniel Benson (D),  Richard Codey (D),  Patrick Diegnan (D),  Thomas Giblin (D),  Nia Gill (D),  Linda Greenstein (D),  Mila Jasey (D),  Tom Kean (R),  Pam Lampitt (D),  Nancy Muñoz (R),  Annette Quijano (D),  Teresa Ruiz (D),  Holly Schepisi (R),  Troy Singleton (D),  Jean Stanfield (R),  Samuel Thompson (D),  Cleopatra Tucker (D),  Shirley Turner (D),  Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D),  Andrew Zwicker (D), 

Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (78-0-0) (on 01/10/2022)

Official Document