Bill Text: MS HB1282 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Satanic displays and symbols; prohibit on public property.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2024-03-05 - Died In Committee [HB1282 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2024-HB1282-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Public Property
By: Representative Ford (73rd)
House Bill 1282
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT DISPLAYS, SYMBOLS, OR THE PRACTICE OF SATANIC WORSHIP ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ON PROPERTY OWNED BY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, OR ON ANY PROPERTY OWNED BY THE STATE OR ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Reject Escalating Satanism by Preserving Essential Core Traditions (RESPECT) Act."
SECTION 2. (1) The Legislature finds that the Constitution of the State of Mississippi acknowledges the supreme being to whom we owe gratitude for blessings received and upon whom we depend for future blessings.
(2) The Legislature finds that there is a wide range of differing views among its citizens regarding which establishment of religion or religions represent the one supreme being upon which we depend. Though a long line of historical evidence exists showing that the values found in the Judeo-Christian faith are fundamental to the foundations and freedoms of the United States of America, the State of Mississippi, in accordance with the long-established history, heritage, and tradition of the United States, does not grant favored status to any establishment of religion as the official religion of the State of Mississippi.
(3) The Legislature finds that good and evil exist. The supreme being, upon whom we depend for continued blessings, personifies that which is good. Evil is personified in the creature known as Satan. It is the duty of the government to play an appropriate role in protecting the inhabitant residents of Mississippi from evil while encouraging and facilitating good. It is legally and constitutionally inconsistent to afford Satan, who is universally understood to be an enemy of God, religious expression on public property by a state government that depends upon God for continued blessings. Such a legal view violates our state constitution and offends the God upon whom we depend and undermines our well-being.
(4) The Legislature finds that all people have freedom of conscience. The State of Mississippi does not recommend Satanic practice in any form; however, the State of Mississippi acknowledges that individuals are free under the Constitution of the State of Mississippi to practice Satanic worship in their private thoughts and on their private property in ways that do not violate any Mississippi law or harm or infringe on others.
SECTION 3. (1) Satanic memorials, statues, altars, displays, symbols, any other method of representing or honoring Satan or the practice of Satanic worship shall not be allowed on public property, in public schools, on property owned by public schools, or on any property owned by the state or its political subdivisions.
(2) For the purpose of this section, "political subdivision" means any body politic or body corporate other than the state responsible for governmental activities only in geographic areas smaller than that of the state, including, but not limited to, any county, municipality, school district, charter school, volunteer fire department that is a chartered nonprofit corporation providing emergency services under contract with a county or municipality, community hospital as defined in Section 41-13-10, airport authority, or other instrumentality of the state, whether or not the body or instrumentality has the authority to levy taxes or to sue or be sued in its own name.
(3) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor criminal offense subject to prosecution under the laws of the state in accordance with Section 21-13-19.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.
