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Senate narrowly approves bill to require posting and teaching of Ten Commandments in public schools
Summary
After hours of debate and two amendment votes, the South Dakota Senate passed SB 51 requiring display of the Ten Commandments and limited curricular instruction in public K–12 classrooms; the final vote was 18–17.
Pierre, S.D. — The South Dakota Senate passed Senate Bill 51 on final consideration Thursday, 18–17, a measure that requires public K–12 classrooms to display the Ten Commandments and directs schools to include them in limited classroom instruction.
Senator Carley, the bill's prime sponsor, framed the measure as a historical and civic lesson rather than a religious mandate, saying, "This is ultimately about history, not religion." He pointed to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision and a 2024 Louisiana law as reasons states may now proceed with similar requirements and noted a letter on the desks of senators from Attorney General Marty Jackley saying, in part, "Should the South…
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