Senate OKs school religious expression bill
TALLAHASSEE — Students, their parents and school employees would be guaranteed wider rights to publicly pray and express their religious beliefs in public schools under a far-reaching bill approved Thursday by the Florida Senate.
Backers of the legislation, including Senate President Joe Negron, contend that the measure is needed because schools have unnecessarily clamped down on free speech rights, including prohibiting students from wearing crosses as jewelry or chiding students who want to include religious figures in their academic work.
The bill (SB 436) says school districts may not discriminate against any student, parent or school employee because they shared their religious viewpoint.
But those opposed to the bill say it could open the door for everything from cracking down on science teachers who teach evolution to allowing Christian students to intimidate those of other faiths.
“Could it be provoking? Could it be concerning? Yeah, that’s healthy thought. That’s what happens in a free world,” said Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, and sponsor of the bill. “This isn’t protecting a faith; it’s protecting all people’s freedom to express their hearts.”
The Senate passed the bill 23-13, following a wide-ranging debate. A similar bill is now moving in the Florida House.
Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale, said the bill could lead to students proselytizing in school.
“We don’t need it. It should be sufficient that during the school day, you can pray to yourself,” he said. “We all have our own personal relationship with God or Allah or whoever we believe in, but to force that on other people is just not necessary, and it can be harmful and it can be disrespectful.”
The bill, which is backed by several Christian groups, says that students can wear clothing or jewelry that conveys a religious message. Negron has agreed that this would also allow followers of Islam to wear hijabs in schools.
The legislation also says students can express their religious viewpoints in coursework or artwork without being penalized. It also makes clear students can pray and organize religious groups to the same extent as other clubs and groups are allowed to meet on school grounds.
School districts must give religious groups access to school facilities, and they must grant students the right to speak on religious topics at public forums. The Florida School Board Association has indicated it supports the bill.
Earlier in the day, the House Education Committee also unanimously voted for the bill, sending it to the House floor, though a vote is not yet scheduled. Democrats are sponsoring the House bill.
“This bill would give a student the opportunity to pray if they choose to, [teachers and administrators] could join in if they want to,” said state Rep. Patricia HawkinsWilliams, D-Lauderdale Lakes, who co-sponsored the bill with state Rep. Kimberly Daniels, DJacksonville. “There’s no wrong way to do what’s right. And this is the right thing to do.”