Senate Concurrent Resolution 579

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 208 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890 TO ALLOW THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO PROVIDE GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, LOANS OR OTHER ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS ATTENDING RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the state:

Amend Section 208, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:

Section 208. No religious or other sect or sects shall ever control any part of the school or other educational funds of this state; nor shall any funds be appropriated toward the support of any sectarian school, or to any school that at the time of receiving such appropriation is not conducted as a free school; provided, however, that funds may be appropriated to provide grants, scholarships, loans or other assistance to students and to parents of students for educational purposes, including attending any school of their choice.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this amendment shall be submitted to the qualified electors at an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2012, as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by law.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of this proposed constitutional amendment for the ballot shall read as follows: "This proposed constitutional amendment allows public funds to be appropriated to provide grants, scholarships, loans or other assistance to students attending religious schools."