78R10610 CAS-D


By:  Branch, Bohac, McClendon, Eissler,                           H.B. No. 793
 
    Kolkhorst, et al.                                                        

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 793:                                    

By:  Branch                                                   C.S.H.B. No. 793


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags and to observance of one minute of silence in public schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 25.082, Education Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 25.082. SCHOOL DAY; PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE; MINUTE OF SILENCE. SECTION 2. Section 25.082, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows: (b) The board of trustees of each school district shall require students, during each school day at each school in the district, to recite: (1) the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag in accordance with 4 U.S.C. Section 4, and its subsequent amendments; and (2) the pledge of allegiance to the state flag in accordance with Subchapter C, Chapter 3100, Government Code. (c) On written request from a student's parent or guardian, a school district shall excuse the student from reciting a pledge of allegiance under Subsection (b). (d) The board of trustees of each [A] school district shall [may] provide for the observance of one minute [a period] of silence at each school in the district following the recitation of the pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags under Subsection (b). During the one-minute period, each student may, as the student chooses, [the beginning of the first class of each school day during which a student may] reflect, pray, [or] meditate, or engage in any other silent activity that is not likely to interfere with or distract another student. Each teacher or other school employee in charge of students during that period shall ensure that each of those students remains silent and does not act in a manner that is likely to interfere with or distract another student. SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school year. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.