Senate Bill 2337

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-12-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL MAY ACCEPT CHAPLAINS, PASTORS, PRIESTS, RABBIS OR OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADERS AS VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR STUDENT-ORGANIZED PRAYER GROUPS, RELIGIOUS CLUBS OR OTHER RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS; TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL SHALL NOT ACCEPT AS A VOLUNTEER ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF OR PLED GUILTY TO AN OFFENSE FOR WHICH A DEFENDANT IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER UNDER THE LAWS OF THIS STATE OR ANY OTHER STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-12-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-12-7. Students in public schools may pray or engage in religious activities or religious expression before, during and after the school day in the same manner and to the same extent that students may engage in nonreligious activities or expression. Students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, "see you at the pole" gatherings, or other religious gatherings before, during and after school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other noncurricular student activities and groups. Religious groups must be given the same access to school facilities for assembling as is given to other noncurricular groups without discrimination based on the religious content of the students' expression. If student groups that meet for nonreligious activities are permitted to advertise or announce meetings of the groups, the school district may not discriminate against groups that meet for prayer or other religious speech. A school district may disclaim school sponsorship of noncurricular groups and events in a manner that neither favors nor disfavors groups that meet to engage in prayer or religious speech.

Students in public schools may wear clothing, accessories and jewelry that display religious messages or religious symbols in the same manner and to the same extent that other types of clothing, accessories and jewelry that display messages or symbols are permitted.

A school district or charter school may accept chaplains, pastors, priests, rabbis or other religious leaders as volunteers to provide support, services and programs for student-organized prayer groups, religious clubs, "see you at the pole" gatherings, or other religious gatherings. A school district or charter school shall not accept as a volunteer any individual who has been convicted of or pled guilty to an offense for which a defendant is required to register as a sex offender under the laws of this State or any other state.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.