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 Section 25.082(b), Education Code, is repealed.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.