Committee introduces RS 31972C1, a 'Bible Reading' RS; proponents cite history and recent Supreme Court tests, opponents raise First Amendment concerns

Representative Jordan Redmond (District 3) presented RS 31972C1, described in his remarks as the "Bible Reading Act," a proposal that would require schools to provide a policy permitting sequential Bible passages to be read in classrooms "without instruction or comment." Redmond said the bill includes accommodations for teachers and students with consciences that prevent participation and specifies injunctive relief as the enforcement mechanism rather than criminal or civil damages.

Redmond framed the proposal as consistent with Idaho's constitutional history and recent shifts in Supreme Court jurisprudence. He told the committee the bill "satisfies the history and tradition test created by the US Supreme Court" and that the text would require reasonable…