House committee substitute replaces the content of the 1st edition with the following.

Amends GS 115C-12(9d) to mandate that the State Board of Education (State Board) require a passing grade in a computer science course to graduate from high school. Requires the course to fulfill one credit that is not an English, math, science, or social studies credit. Exempts students enrolling in the State after completion of the eleventh grade from the requirement, and students whose individualized education program states that the student's disability would prevent completion. Applies beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

Requires the State Board to establish the course requirement by reducing required science credits by one. 

Enacts GS 115C-81.90, specifically requiring the State Board to include computer science instruction, as defined, in the standard course of study for middle and high school students. Requires public school units to offer an elective introductory course to middle school students beginning in the 2025-26 school year, and a course on using existing technologies and creating new technologies to high school students beginning in the 2024-25 school year, with a passing grade in the latter course satisfying the graduation requirement established in GS 115C-12(9d), as amended. Authorizes units to offer the graduation requirement course to middle school students. Requires the State Board to consult with the Department of Public Instruction to adopt a list of approved courses that fulfill each offering requirement and make the list available on DPI's website. Requires in-person instruction when practicable with remote courses otherwise permitted that meet state law requirements. Applies beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

Directs the State Board to adopt and post the list of approved high school courses by July 1, 2023, and middle school introductory courses by January 1, 2025.

Provides for waiver of the course requirement for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years by the unit submitting a signed notification to DPI stating that a course was not available to students, waiving both the requirement to offer the course and the graduation requirement for students entering the ninth grade in the school year in which the notification is submitted. Additionally provides for waiver of the unit's requirement to offer the course for the 2025-26 school year by submitting a signed notification to DPI stating that a course was not available to students. 

Amends GS 115C-218.85, GS 115C-238.66, GS 116-239.8, and Section 6 of SL 2018-32, requiring charter schools, regional schools, lab schools, and renewal schools to provide computer science instruction pursuant to new GS 115C-81.90.

Changes the act's long title.