THE BILL ITSELF
HJR 583
Protection of Religious Expression in Public Schools
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House Joint Resolution
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A joint resolution proposing the creation of Section
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33 of Article X of the State Constitution to provide
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protection from discrimination for student and school
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personnel religious expression in public schools.
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Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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That the following creation of Section 33 of Article X of
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the State Constitution is agreed to and shall be submitted to
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the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the next
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general election or at an earlier special election specifically
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authorized by law for that purpose:
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ARTICLE X
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MISCELLANEOUS
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SECTION 33. Religious expression in public schools.—
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(a) A school district may not discriminate against a
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student, parent, or school personnel on the basis of a religious
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viewpoint or religious expression. A school district shall treat
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a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint on an
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otherwise permissible subject in the same manner that the school
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district treats a student's voluntary expression of a secular
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viewpoint.
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(b) A public school must allow:
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(1) A student to express his or her religious beliefs in
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coursework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free
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from discrimination. A student's homework and classroom
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assignments shall be evaluated, regardless of any religious
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content, based on expected academic standards relating to the
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course curriculum and requirements. A student may not be
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penalized or rewarded based on the religious content of his or
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her work if the coursework, artwork, or other written or oral
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assignment requires a student's viewpoint to be expressed.
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(2) A student to wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry
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that display a religious message or symbol in the same manner
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and to the same extent that secular types of clothing,
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accessories, and jewelry that display messages or symbols are
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allowed to be worn.
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(3) A student to pray or engage in religious activities or
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expression before, during, and after the school day in the same
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manner and to the same extent that a student may engage in
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secular activities or expression. A student may organize prayer
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groups, religious clubs, and other religious gatherings in the
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same manner and to the same extent that a student is permitted
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to organize secular activities and groups.
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(4) School personnel to participate in religious
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activities on school grounds which are initiated by students at
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reasonable times before or after the school day if such
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activities are voluntary and do not conflict with the
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responsibilities or assignments of such personnel.
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(c) Without supporting or discouraging student prayer,
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each public school must require teachers in first-period
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classrooms in all grades to set aside at least one minute, but
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not more than two minutes, daily for a moment of silence, during
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which a student may not interfere with other students'
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participation.
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(d) Each high school participating in a championship
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contest or series of contests must have the opportunity to make
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brief opening remarks, if requested by the school, using the
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public address system at the event. Remarks may include student-
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led or school personnel-led prayer, may not be derogatory, rude,
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or threatening, and may not be longer than two minutes per
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school.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be
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placed on the ballot:
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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
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ARTICLE X, SECTION 33
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PROTECTING RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.—
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Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to provide
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protections from discrimination for student and school personnel
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religious expression in public schools, including the expression
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of religious beliefs in a student's school work or attire,
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prayer, activities and religious expressions, moments of
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silence, and opening remarks at high school championship contest
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or series of contests.