By Edwards H.B. No. 394 74R2249 CAS-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to a period of silence in public schools. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 21, Education Code, is 1-5 amended by adding Section 21.940 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 21.940. PERIOD OF SILENCE. At the beginning of the 1-7 first class of each school day, all public school students shall 1-8 observe a brief period of silence to be used according to the 1-9 dictates of the individual conscience of each student. 1-10 SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 1995-1996 1-11 school year. 1-12 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-13 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-14 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-15 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-16 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 1-17 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 1-18 passage, and it is so enacted.