MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Little, Bean, Browning, Burton, Canon, Carlton, Carter, Cuevas, Dearing, Dickerson, Farris, Ferris, Frazier, Furniss, Gollott, Gordon, Gunn, Hall, Hamilton, Harden, Harvey, Hawks, Hewes, Horhn, Huggins, Jackson, Johnson (19th), Jordan (24th), Jordan (18th), Kirby, Lee, Mettetal, Minor, Moffatt, Nunnelee, Posey, Rayborn, Robertson, Scoper, Smith, Stogner, Thames, Tollison, Turner, Walls, White (29th), White (5th), Woodfield

AN ACT TO PRESCRIBE THOSE RELIGIOUS MATTERS PROPERLY INCLUDED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL COURSES OF STUDY, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Nothing in this code shall be construed to prevent any local school board, in its discretion, from allowing references to religion or references to or the use of religious literature, history, art, music or other things having a religious significance in the public schools of such school district, when such references or uses do not constitute instruction in religious principles or aid to any religious sect, church, creed or sectarian purpose and when such references or uses are incidental to or illustrative of matters properly included in the course of study.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.