REP. DELNICKI, GOVERNOR LAMONT SIGNS LEGISLATION REQUIRING COMPLETION OF PERSONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT COURSE TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL

(HARTFORD, CT) – On Thursday, State Rep. Tom Delnicki (R-14) hailed Governor Ned Lamont’s signature of a new law that requires students to complete a half-credit course in personal financial management and financial literacy in order to graduate from Connecticut public high schools. It also adds personal financial management and financial literacy to the state’s required program of instruction for public schools.

Rep. Delnicki, co-sponsored this bipartisan piece of legislation with Stamford State Rep. Corey Paris. The requirement begins with the class of 2027, who start high school this fall. It can count as either a humanities credit or as an elective credit and will not add to students’ existing required credits.

Rep. Delnicki, who is the ranking member of the legislature’s Banking Committee said, “If we want young people to succeed in life, we must give them the tools they need to thrive. Teaching young adults the value of a dollar and how to save and spend that dollar can go a long way towards success.”

The Connecticut State Board of Education will provide curriculum and resources to help local school boards develop the courses, which must include instruction on banking, investing, savings, the handling of personal finance matters, and the impact of using credit cards and debit cards.

Connecticut joins 21 other states that have enacted laws requiring students to take a personal finance course to graduate from high school.

The legislation is Public Act 23-21. It was approved in the Senate by a vote of 35 to 1 and in the House of Representatives by a vote of 138 to 12.