Bill Summary for S 370 (2013-2014)

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Summary date: 

Mar 19 2013
S.L. 2014-13

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2013-2014 Session
Senate Bill 370 (Public) Filed Tuesday, March 19, 2013
AN ACT TO CLARIFY STUDENT RIGHTS TO ENGAGE IN PRAYER AND RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY IN SCHOOL, TO CREATE AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS FOR REMEDYING COMPLAINTS REGARDING EXERCISE OF THOSE STUDENT RIGHTS, AND TO CLARIFY RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL.
Intro. by Bingham, Daniel, Hise.

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Bill summary

Amends GS 115C-47(29b), establishing that policies of local school boards regarding the free expression of religion should reflect the following: (1) a student is allowed to pray silently at any time or audibly during noninstructional time if the prayer is voluntary and unofficial; (2) prayer officially sanctioned by the school or school officials is not permitted during the school day nor prior to, during, or after extracurricular school events; (3) students may gather for prayers before, during, or after an extracurricular activity, if the prayers are student-initiated and student led and those students voluntarily participate and do not pressure others to participate. School officials may be present and should demonstrate appropriate respect and may adopt a respectful posture.

Establishes that the provisions should not be construed in a way to direct any action in violation of the Constutions of North Carolina or the United States, including preventing or denying participation in protected prayer in public schools.