By: Sanford H.B. No. 735

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to school districts, school district's employees, and students recognition of Texas' historical celebrations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.920 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.920. CELEBRATIONS. (a) A school district, employees of a school district, and students may educate students about the history of traditional celebrations. School districts, employees of a school district, and students are allowed to display references or quote versus from religious texts which are celebrated during time of historic and/or optional holidays recognized by the Texas government in Government Code, Title 6., Chapter 662.

(b) School districts, district staff, and students are allowed to display references or quotes from texts which celebrate winter holidays recognized by the Texas government in Chapter 662, Government Code and may offer traditional greetings regarding the celebrations, including:

(1) "Merry Christmas";

(2) "Happy Hanukkah"; and

(3) "happy holidays."

(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a school district may display on school property scenes or symbols associated with traditional winter celebrations, including a menorah or a Christmas image such as a nativity scene or Christmas tree, if the display includes a scene or symbol of:

(1) more than one religion; or

(2) one religion and at least one secular scene or symbol.

(d) A display relating to a traditional winter celebration may not include a message that encourages adherence to a particular religious belief.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

SECTION 3. 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, 2017.