Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill Thursday that establishes “Celebrate Freedom Week” during the week of Sept. 17 and requires schools to teach students about the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence in grades K-8 each year during that week.

The Sept. 17 date marks the anniversary of the day in 1787 when the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia adopted the U.S. Constitution. It officially went into effect March 4, 1789, after it was ratified by 11 states.

House Bill 2261 is similar to laws already enacted in Oklahoma, Texas and some other states, including the requirement that, “The religious references in the writings of the founding fathers shall not be censored when presented as part of such instruction.”

The bill also requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules and regulations spelling out the curriculum to be taught during that week.

The Celebrate Freedom Week language was added onto a bill that expands the ability of school districts to transfer unencumbered cash balances among various funds. It also amends current law related to school districts’ bullying policies to include staff members.