HB 1264 -- Religious Practices in Public Schools

Sponsor:  Gratz

This bill requires the observance of a minute of silence at the
beginning of each school day in all public schools for the
purpose of guaranteeing free exercise of religion.  The bill also
clarifies that a public school student has the right to pray
privately in a nondisruptive manner during school or
extracurricular activities, if the same rules of order that apply
to any student speech are observed, and that students may gather
to pray at other times, also subject to the same rules of student
speech.  Districts may allow their students to leave the school
building during the school day to attend religious instruction,
subject to rules governing scheduling and academic advancement.
Districts will not lose state school aid as a result, nor are
districts required to provide classes outside the regular school
day to accommodate such students.  Religious groups must be
allowed to use school premises if the school permits other groups
not sponsored by the school to use its premises, under the same
rules.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:00 am