SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 1264

91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE GRATZ.

Pre-filed December 18, 2001, and 1000 copies ordered printed.

TED WEDEL, Chief Clerk

2840L.01I

AN ACT

To amend chapter 160, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to daily observance of one minute of silence.



Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Chapter 160, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 160.012, to read as follows:

160.012. 1. In order that the right to the free exercise of religion be guaranteed within the public schools and that the freedom of each pupil be subject to the least possible pressure from the state of Missouri either to engage in, or refrain from, religious observance on public school premises, a period of silence of approximately one minute in duration shall be maintained in each grade at the beginning of each school day. At the opening of the first class each day, it shall be the responsibility of each teacher in charge of each class to call the pupils to order and announce that a moment of silence is to be observed. During such one-minute period of silence, all pupils shall remain silent and make no distracting display to the end that each pupil may, in the exercise of his or her individual choice, meditate, pray, or engage in other silent activity which does not interfere with, distract, or impede other pupils in the like exercise of individual choice.

2. A public school pupil may pray privately in a nondisruptive manner on public school premises during the school day, or at school-related extracurricular events, subject to the same rules of order that apply to other student speech. Public school pupils may voluntarily meet to pray in a nondisruptive manner when such prayer is conducted at times other than class instruction, student assemblies, and other school-related events that may involve students not wishing to pray, subject to the same rules of order that apply to other student speech.

3. Public school districts may allow their pupils to attend religious instruction during the school day at a site other than a public school, subject to parental permission. Public school districts may adopt rules to govern scheduling and related matters to ensure continued order within its schools. Public school districts may adopt rules to ensure that public school pupils who attend religious instruction attend all classes the district requires for grade advancement and graduation. Nothing in this section shall require a public school district to provide classes outside the regular school day to pupils who attend religious instruction during the school day. Nothing in this section shall reduce the amount of state aid a school district receives pursuant to chapter 163, RSMo.

4. If a public school provides access to its premises to groups not sponsored by the school for before or after school activities or meetings, then the public school shall provide access to religious groups on the same basis.


Missouri House of Representatives