Bill Text: MS HB867 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Traditional winter celebrations; allow school district to educate students about and display symbols associated with.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Failed) 2017-01-31 - Died In Committee [HB867 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2017-HB867-Introduced.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2017 Regular Session

To: Education; Rules

By: Representative Miles

House Bill 867

AN ACT TO ALLOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF TRADITIONAL WINTER CELEBRATIONS; TO ALLOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DISPLAY SCENES OR SYMBOLS ASSOCIATED WITH TRADITIONAL WINTER CELEBRATIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT A DISPLAY RELATING TO A TRADITIONAL WINTER CELEBRATION MAY NOT INCLUDE A MESSAGE THAT ENCOURAGES ADHERENCE TO A PARTICULAR RELIGIOUS BELIEF; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  A school district may educate students about the history of traditional winter celebrations, and allow students and district staff to offer traditional greetings regarding the celebrations, including:

          (a)  "Merry Christmas";

          (b)  "Happy Hanukkah; and

          (c)  "Happy holidays."

     (2)  Except as provided by subsection (3) of this section, 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:

          (a)  More than one (1) religion; or

          (b)  One (1)religion and at least one (1) secular scene or symbol.

     (3)  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 shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.