Current Status Bill Number:4629 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19960215 Primary Sponsor:Davenport All Sponsors:Davenport and Koon Drafted Document Number:pt\2224ac.96 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Education and Public Works Committee 21 HEPW Subject:Religious Rights of Students Act
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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House 19960215 Introduced, read first time, 21 HEPW
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-275 TO ENACT THE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS OF STUDENTS ACT SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN RELIGIOUS RIGHTS THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT MAY EXERCISE, TO REQUIRE A WRITTEN REPRIMAND FOR A FIRST VIOLATION BY AN EMPLOYEE WHO PREVENTS OR INTERFERES WITH THE EXERCISE OF THESE RIGHTS, AND TO REQUIRE TERMINATION OF THE EMPLOYEE FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATIONS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "Religious Rights of Students Act".
SECTION 2. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-63-275. (A) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a student in a public school in this State has the right to:
(1) meet with other students for prayer, Bible study, and worship, and religious discussions;
(2) wear religious T-shirts, symbols, and buttons at school;
(3) share religion on campus;
(4) hand out religious tracts on campus;
(5) engage in voluntary school prayer;
(6) bring a Bible to school;
(7) present school projects and execute other assignments from a religious perspective;
(8) study and practice religious holidays on campus;
(9) have religious clubs on campus;
(10) conduct invocations or benedictions, or voluntary prayer at school events and school-related activities;
(11) live out the student's religious faith.
However, in exercising these rights a student may not hamper or interfere with the normal day-to-day operations or activities of the school.
(B) An employee of a public school who knowingly prevents or interferes with a student from exercising any of the rights provided for in subsection (A) upon a first violation must receive a written reprimand and for a second or subsequent violation immediately must be terminated."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.