Freedom of Religious Expression in Public Schools Overview

States with Successfully Enacted Legislative Initiatives/Authors, Sponsors
  • Texas
    • Texas HB No. 3678
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      • Known as either the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act (RVAA) or the Schoolchildren’s Religious Liberties Act
      • Primary Author: Charlie Howard (R)
      • Brief Summary: Local Education Agencies (LEAs), including public schools, are to treat a student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject, in the same manner the LEA treats a student’s voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject and may not discriminate against the student based on a religious viewpoint. This includes the expression of religious beliefs in classroom and homework assignments, as well as organizing and participating in religious student gatherings to the same extent as secular non-curricular groups. The model policy language is the exact language approved by the Supreme Court decision in Good News Club v. Milford Central School, 533 U.S. 98 (2001).
  • Tennessee
    • Tennessee HB No. 1547/SB No. 1793
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      • Mirrors Texas HB No. 3678 and is known as the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act (RVAA)
      • Primary Authors: Courtney Rogers (R) and Sen. Ferrell Haile (R)
      • Brief Summary: See A.1.e.
  • South Carolina
    • South Carolina SB No. 0134/HB No. 3858
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      • Mirrors Texas HB No. 3678 and is known as the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act (RVAA)
      • Primary Authors: Vincent Sheheen (D), Sen. Daniel Verdin (R), Sen. Michael Fair (R), Sen. George Campsen (R) and Sen. Shane Martin (R)
      • Brief Summary: See A.1.e.
  • Mississippi
    • Mississippi SB No. 2633/HB No. 1112
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      • Mirrors Texas HB No. 3678 and is known as the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act (RVAA)
      • Primary Author: Chris McDaniel (R)
      • Brief Summary: See A.1.e.
  • Kentucky
    • Kentucky HB No. 279
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      • Mirrors Texas HB No. 3678 and is known as the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act (RVAA)
      • Primary Author: Bob Damron (R)
      • Brief Summary: See A.1.e.
  • North Carolina
    • North Carolina SB No. 370
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      • See also.
      • Mirrors Texas HB No. 3678 and is known as the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act (RVAA)
      • Primary Author: Ralph Hise (R)
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