Text: HF00464 Text: HF00466 Text: HF00400 - HF00499 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 1.18 ENGLISH PLUS AFFIRMATION. 1 2 1. The general assembly of the state of Iowa finds and 1 3 declares the following: 1 4 a. English is and will remain the primary language of the 1 5 state of Iowa, and all members of the state recognize the 1 6 importance of English to state life, individual 1 7 accomplishment, and personal enrichment. 1 8 b. Many United States citizens have native languages other 1 9 than English, including many languages indigenous to the North 1 10 American continent, and many members of society have not had 1 11 an equal opportunity to learn English. 1 12 c. The ability to communicate in English and other 1 13 languages has promoted and can further enhance Iowa's 1 14 economic, political, and cultural vitality, and contributes to 1 15 the state's productivity and nationwide competitiveness. 1 16 d. Fundamental values and state and national documents 1 17 ensure tolerance and respect for diversity and guarantee all 1 18 persons equal protection under the law. 1 19 e. A need exists for a vastly expanded network of 1 20 facilities for comprehensive English language instruction and 1 21 services to ensure that all persons in the state have the 1 22 ability to exercise the rights and responsibilities of full 1 23 participation in society. A need exists to offer English as a 1 24 primary language in classes at Iowa community colleges, state 1 25 universities, and public schools. 1 26 f. A need exists to foster multiple language skills among 1 27 all people in the state in order to promote Iowa's position in 1 28 the world marketplace and to strengthen Iowa's conduct of 1 29 relations with other countries. 1 30 g. A need exists to endorse the concept of English Plus in 1 31 order to promote public civility and the fundamental values 1 32 and objectives of society. 1 33 2. Laws containing restrictionist language shall not be 1 34 enacted in Iowa that will impede a citizen's right to vote, 1 35 infringe on a citizen's civil rights, foster governmental 2 1 interference in private activity and free commerce, or cause 2 2 social disunity. 2 3 EXPLANATION 2 4 This bill adds a new section to Code chapter 1 that states 2 5 that English is the primary language of the state of Iowa, but 2 6 also endorses the value of encouraging multiple language 2 7 skills among the state's citizens. The bill prohibits the 2 8 enactment of Code language that impedes a citizen's right to 2 9 vote, infringes on a citizen's civil rights, fosters 2 10 governmental interference in private activity and free 2 11 commerce, or causes social disunity. 2 12 LSB 2891HH 79 2 13 av/pj/5
Text: HF00464 Text: HF00466 Text: HF00400 - HF00499 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
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