Vetoed by Governor Terry McAuliffe

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes public school students to initiate or engage in religious activity before, during, and after the school day.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a student attending a public school to engage in religious activities to the same extent that students may participate in non-religious activities before, during and after the school day (Sec. 1).  

• Authorizes a student to organize prayer groups, religious clubs, “see you at the pole” gatherings, or other religious gatherings to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other activities and groups (Sec. 1). 

• Requires public schools to give religious organizations and activities the same access to school facilities for assembling as other organizations (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes a public school student to wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry that display religious messages to the same extent as other types of clothing and accessories are permitted (Sec. 1).

• Requires each school division to adopt a policy that creates a limited public forum that does not discriminate against a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint at any school event at which a student is permitted to publicly speak (Sec. 1).

• Requires a public school to provide a disclaimer at any public event where students are permitted to speak publicly that the school does not endorse any religious viewpoints that may be expressed by the speakers (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits a school division from regulating a student’s voluntary religious expression, with the exception of if a student’s speech becomes disruptive or vulgar (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes public school students to initiate or engage in religious activity before, during, and after the school day.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a student attending a public school to engage in religious activities to the same extent that students may participate in non-religious activities before, during and after the school day (Sec. 1).  

• Authorizes a student to organize prayer groups, religious clubs, “see you at the pole” gatherings, or other religious gatherings to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other activities and groups (Sec. 1). 

• Requires public schools to give religious organizations and activities the same access to school facilities for assembling as other organizations (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes a public school student to wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry that display religious messages to the same extent as other types of clothing and accessories are permitted (Sec. 1).

• Requires each school division to adopt a policy that creates a limited public forum that does not discriminate against a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint at any school event at which a student is permitted to publicly speak (Sec. 1).

• Requires a public school to provide a disclaimer at any public event where students are permitted to speak publicly that the school does not endorse any religious viewpoints that may be expressed by the speakers (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits a school division from regulating a student’s voluntary religious expression, with the exception of if a student’s speech becomes disruptive or vulgar (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text