MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Education; Constitution

By: Representative Chism

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-163, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO DISPLAY THE MOTTO OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN EACH CLASSROOM, SCHOOL AUDITORIUM AND CAFETERIA; 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. (1) Any teacher, administrator, school council or local school board in any public school district in this state may post in a public school building, classroom or at any school event or read from any historical document or writing relating to the founding of the United States of America or this state, or both, notwithstanding the fact that such materials may include religious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. There shall be no content-based censorship of American or Mississippi History, heritage or culture based on any religious references contained in such documents, writings or records.

(2) Principals and teachers in each public elementary and secondary school of each school district in this state shall display on an appropriately framed background, with minimum dimensions of eleven (11) inches by fourteen (14) inches, the following motto of the United States of America in each classroom, school auditorium and school cafeteria under the supervision of the principal or teacher: "IN GOD WE TRUST." For purposes of this subsection, the term, "classroom" means any room of a public school where instruction takes place.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.