Current Status Bill Number:3173 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19950110 Primary Sponsor:Meacham All Sponsors:Meacham, Cato, Walker, Fair, Allison, Delleney, Herdklotz, Simrill, Knotts, Kelley, Inabinett, Witherspoon, Wells, Robinson, Baxley, Seithel and Richardson Drafted Document Number:JIC\5244SD.95 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Education and Public Works Committee 21 HEPW Subject:Voluntary prayer or silence
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
House 19950110 Introduced, read first time, 21 HEPW
referred to Committee
House 19941221 Prefiled, referred to Committee 21 HEPW
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-442 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHALL SET ASIDE A ONE-MINUTE PERIOD FOR VOLUNTARY SILENT PRAYER AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SCHOOL DAY.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that:
(1) the public school day is filled with an abundance of activities, demanding schedules, and substantial pressure for students and teachers;
(2) it is appropriate at the beginning of the school day to observe one minute of voluntary silent prayer, free of the myriad distractions that intrude on the educational process, so that students and teachers can contemplate the challenges of the upcoming school day and assume a frame of mind that promotes the proper atmosphere for learning and teaching.
SECTION 2. Article 5, Chapter 1, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-1-442. Schools must set aside a one-minute period to allow for voluntary silent prayer at the beginning of each school day in all public elementary and secondary schools in this State. Students may participate on a voluntary basis."
SECTION 3. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize any teacher or student to use the provisions of this act to advocate or promote any particular religious viewpoint.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.