By: McClendon H.B. No. 87
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the observance of one minute of silence during the
school day in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 25.901, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 25.901. EXERCISE OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PRAY;
OBSERVANCE OF ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE. (a) A public school student
has an absolute right to individually, voluntarily, and silently
pray or meditate in school in a manner that does not disrupt the
instructional or other activities of the school. Except as
provided by Subsection (b), a [A] person may not require,
encourage, or coerce a student to engage in or refrain from such
prayer or meditation during any school activity.
(b) The board of trustees of each school district shall
provide for the observance of one minute of silence during each
school day at each school in the district. During that one-minute
period, each student may, as the student chooses, reflect, pray,
meditate, or engage in any other silent activity that does not
interfere with or distract another student.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.