78R4179 CAS-D

By:  Branch                                                       H.B. No. 793


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to observance of one minute of silence during the school day and to pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags in public schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 25, Education Code, is amended by adding Sections 25.902 and 25.903 to read as follows: Sec. 25.902. OBSERVANCE OF ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE. (a) 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. (b) During the one-minute period provided for under Subsection (a), each student shall stand, if physically able, and may, as the student chooses, reflect, pray, 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 standing, if physically able, and silent and does not act in a manner that is likely to interfere with or distract another student. Sec. 25.903. RECITATION OF PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE. (a) Following the observation of one minute of silence under Section 25.902, a school district shall require students 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. (b) 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 (a). SECTION 2. Section 25.082(b), Education Code, is repealed. 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.