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Committee advances bill allowing Ten Commandments to be kept in school libraries after amendment
Summary
After amendment, the House Committee on Education approved HB 1086 (8–3), which adds the Ten Commandments to a statutory list of 'protected writings' and permits schools to post copies while prohibiting teachers from reading the Ten Commandments aloud to students. The measure drew sustained testimony from civil liberties groups, faith leaders and educators.
The House Committee on Education voted to pass House Bill 1086 as amended, moving a measure that would add the Ten Commandments to a statutory list of "protected writings" in the Indiana Education Code.
The amendment adopted by the committee narrows the original proposal: it removes a state-level mandate to display the text and prohibits principals or teachers from reading the Ten Commandments aloud when students are present, while allowing a copy to be maintained in a school library and permitting students to reference the text in classwork.
Supporters described the change as modest and respectful of local control. A proponent and religious advocates argued the Ten Commandments reflect…
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