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Subcommittee adopts language to create limited student forum for voluntary speech and prayer; report to full committee
Summary
A bill led by Representatives Mitchell and Yao would direct school districts to adopt policies recognizing a limited public forum for voluntary student speech, aiming to protect student First Amendment expression and reduce legal exposure to districts; the subcommittee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended.
The K‑12 subcommittee advanced legislation intended to clarify when public schools may permit voluntary student speech and religious expression without creating a government‑endorsed practice that could trigger litigation.
Representative Mitchel Mitchell (co‑sponsor) and Representative Yao said the measure responds to recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and earlier litigation, including the Coach Kennedy case and Santa Fe Independent School District precedents, by directing school districts to adopt policies that create a limited public forum for voluntary…
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