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Committee adopts substituted HB 511 to require daily pledge and allow brief prayer in K–12 schools; public commenters warn of constitutional and funding risks
Summary
After adopting a substitute, the State Government Committee passed HB 511, a proposed constitutional amendment directing local school boards to conduct the pledge of allegiance and allowing a short non-denominational prayer or Bible reading at the start of each school day; public commenters warned the measure could violate the First Amendment and that funding penalties would coerce districts.
The State Government Committee adopted a substitute to HB 511 and then passed the substituted measure after a roll-call vote. Representative Ingram, who presented the substitute, described it as a constitutional amendment that would require local boards of education to adopt a policy that (1) conducts the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the first class each school day and allows students to voluntarily recite it, and (2) permits a brief prayer or Bible reading (live or pre-recorded) provided no student may be required to recite it.
Public commenters told the committee the proposal raised constitutional concerns and could coerce districts and students. Kierra Berks, speaking for Project Say Something and identifying herself…
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