House Bill 365

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO PERMIT REPRESENTATIVES OF PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES TO SPEAK TO THE STUDENT BODY REGARDING CIVIC INVOLVEMENT; TO PRESCRIBE THE PROCESS BY WHICH SUCH SOCIETIES SHALL BE ALLOTTED DATES AND TIMES TO SPEAK; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, "patriotic society" or "society" means a group or organization listed in Title 36 of the United States Code that is intended to serve young people under twenty-one (21) years of age.

(2) Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, the principal of each school shall allow representatives of a patriotic society the opportunity to speak with students during school hours to inform the students about the civic involvement of the society, as well as explain how students may participate or join the society.

(3) The patriotic society shall be given only one (1) day at the beginning of each academic school year, as approved by the principal, for the society to speak to the students at the school for no more than ten (10) minutes.

(4) The patriotic society shall provide written notice to the principal of the society's intent to speak to the students. The principal shall provide written approval of the specific day and time for the society to address the students.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.