Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires schools to allow student religious expression to the same extent that secular expression is allowed.

Highlights:

• Authorizes students enrolled in public schools to engage in religious expression before, during, and after school hours in the same manner that a student is allowed to engage in secular activities (Sec. 1).

• Defines “religious expression” as activities including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):

• Prayer;

• Religious gatherings such as prayer groups and religious clubs;

• Distribution of religious literature; and

• Any other expression of religious nature, including religious clothing, providing that it is not obscene or vulgar.

• Requires public schools to give the same access to facilities to students seeking to hold a meeting for religious expression, without regard to the content of expression, as would be given to students for a secular purpose (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits public schools from prohibiting students from engaging in religious expression in homework, artwork, or any other assignments (Sec. 1).

• Repeals the provision that authorizes public schools to limit expression religious belief to non-instructional time periods (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text