AMISTAD COMMISSION

Amends the Historic Preservation Agency Act. Creates the Amistad Commission. Contains provisions concerning the membership and duties of the Commission. These duties include: (i) providing assistance and advice to schools within the State with respect to the implementation of education, awareness programs, textbooks, and educational materials concerned with the African slave trade, slavery in America, the vestiges of slavery in this country, and the contributions of African-Americans to our society; (ii) surveying and cataloging the extent and breadth of education concerning these topics; (iii) acting as a liaison to textbook publishers and others in forming a curriculum on these subjects; (iv) coordinating events and programs on slavery and related issues; and (iv) developing with the cooperation of the State Board of Education, curriculum guidelines for the teaching of information on slavery topics and issues. Authorizes the Commission to call upon any department, office, division, or agency of the State, or of any county, municipality, or school district of the State, to supply such data, program reports, and other information, personnel, and assistance as it deems necessary to discharge its responsibilities under this Act. Provides that the State Board of Education shall assist the Commission in a variety of ways, including by: (i) marketing and distributing information and materials on slavery topics to schools, and (ii) conducting at least one teacher workshop annually on slavery issues. Requires the Commission to make biannual reports on its activities to the Governor and the General Assembly. Effective immediately.