House Bill 938

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-161, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS TO USE THE GREETING "MERRY CHRISTMAS"; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-13-161, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-13-161. (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 aid to any religious sect or sectarian purpose and when such references or uses are incidental to or illustrative of matters properly included in the course of study.

(2) In accordance with the state's declaration of Christmas Day as a legal holiday under Section 3-3-7, employees and students of the public schools in this state may use, in writing and orally, the traditional holiday greeting "Merry Christmas."

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.