Bill Text: HI SB2328 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Religion; Public Schools; Freedom of Religion
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-21 - Referred to EDU, JDL. [SB2328 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-SB2328-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2328 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to religion.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 302A-1139, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§302A-1139[]]
Religious education[.]; freedom of religion policy. (a) The
department shall provide for the release of, and shall release, any pupil in
any public school from attendance at the public school for a period not to exceed
sixty minutes each week during the school year, on such days and during such
school hours as the department shall designate, for the purpose of receiving
religious instruction from the religious organization of the pupil's choice
when the release is requested in writing by a parent, guardian, or other person
having custody or control of the pupil. Actual attendance at the sessions of
the religious instruction shall count as attendance at the public schools for
all purposes where attendance forms the basis of computation.
(b) The privilege of this release shall be withdrawn by the department in case the pupil does not actually attend the sessions of religious instruction. No teacher of the public schools shall participate in religious instruction during the school hours for which the teacher is employed to teach in the public schools, and no public funds shall be used directly or indirectly for religious instruction, at any time when its use would otherwise be required in connection with the regular program of the school.
(c) Teaching about religion in public schools shall be permitted where it is a natural part of the curriculum to study the history of religion, the role of religion in the history of the United States and other countries, and the influence of religion on the art, music, literature, and social customs of various cultures.
(d) Prayer and other religious observances shall not be organized or sponsored by any public school or any administrative or support unit of the public school system.
(e) Any student may engage in voluntary, student-initiated religious activities or discussion; provided that the religious activities or discussion are not disruptive or coercive in any manner.
(f) Secondary students may meet in public schools during non-instructional time to pray, read religious materials, discuss faith, and invite other students to join their religious group; provided that the public school has established a limited open forum for one or more student-initiated groups."
SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Religion; Public Schools; Freedom of Religion
Description:
Permits teaching about religion in public schools where it is a natural part of the curriculum to study the history, role, and influence of religion. Allows students to engage in voluntary, student-initiated religious activities and discussion; provided that the religious activities and discussion are not disruptive or coercive.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
