MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Smith (35th)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-163, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW THE BIBLE TO BE USED AS A TEACHING AID IN ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL; TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INCLUDE AN ACADEMIC BIBLE COURSE IN THEIR CURRICULUM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-13-163, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-13-163. Any teacher, administrator, school council or local school board in any public school district in this state may: (a) post in a public school building, classroom or at any school event or read from any historical document or writing relating to the founding of the United States of America or this state, or both, notwithstanding the fact that such materials may include religious quotations, references or illustrations, or (b) use the Bible as a teaching aid, provided that it is not used to advocate the practice of religion or any particular religious relief. There shall be no content-based censorship of American or Mississippi History, heritage or culture based on any religious or other references contained in such documents, writings or records.

SECTION 2. The school board of a local school district, in its discretion, may authorize the schools in that district to include in their curriculum a Bible class designed to teach students about the Bible. The instruction in any Bible class offered in the public schools may not advocate the practice of religion or any particular religious belief. The participation of students in any Bible class offered in the public schools must be voluntary.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.