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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a school district's recognition of and education |
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regarding traditional winter celebrations. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 29.920 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.920. WINTER CELEBRATIONS. (a) A school district |
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may educate students about the history of traditional winter |
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celebrations, and allow students and district staff to offer |
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traditional greetings regarding the celebrations, including: |
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(1) "Merry Christmas"; |
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(2) "Happy Hanukkah"; and |
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(3) "happy holidays." |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a school district |
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may display on school property scenes or symbols associated with |
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traditional winter celebrations, including a menorah or a Christmas |
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image such as a nativity scene or Christmas tree, if the display |
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includes a scene or symbol of: |
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(1) more than one religion; or |
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(2) one religion and at least one secular scene or |
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symbol. |
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(c) A display relating to a traditional winter celebration |
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may not include a message that encourages adherence to a particular |
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religious belief. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |