Bill Text: MS HB348 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Christian perspective; include as an elective educational component in public school curriculum.
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Failed) 2012-03-06 - Died In Committee [HB348 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2012-HB348-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Representatives Dixon, Woods
House Bill 348
AN ACT TO ALLOW EACH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO INCLUDE IN ITS CURRICULUM A COURSE IN CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AS AN ELECTIVE COMPONENT OF ITS CARNEGIE UNIT REQUIREMENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH INSTRUCTION SHALL CONSIST OF RELEASED TIME PROGRAMS FOR PUPILS WITH A WRITTEN PARENTAL REQUEST TO RECEIVE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AT A CHURCH OR RELIGIOUS CENTER OFF SCHOOL PREMISES; TO PROVIDE THE STIPULATIONS FOR THE OFFERING OF THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ELECTIVE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. In addition to the curriculum otherwise required by law or by the State Board of Education to be taught in the public schools of this state, each public high school may offer as an elective component of its Carnegie unit requirements not less than one (1) hour of Christian perspective in religious instruction or practice. The Christian perspective component of the curriculum must consist of released time programs that establish a period during which pupils in public schools are allowed, upon parental request, to receive religious instruction. Upon receipt of a written request by the pupil's parent or legal guardian to receive religious instruction as an educational component, the following must be applicable:
(a) All religious instruction shall be conducted off school premises and instruction materials shall be provided by the religious center providing the instruction;
(b) The principal or superintendent of schools must permit pupils for whom a request is submitted to leave the school building to attend churches or religious centers for instruction or devotional exercises;
(c) The church or religious center must report to the school the names of the pupils released from the school who failed to report for religious instruction or devotional exercises; and
(d) The school shall accommodate the schedule of those pupils attending such religious instruction; and those pupils who desire not to receive instruction in Christian perspective upon a parent or legal guardian's written request, shall remain in classrooms for regular studies.
SECTION 2. Section 1 of this act shall be codified as a separate code section in Chapter 13, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2012.
