Press Release: Rep. Elijah Haahr Thanks Governor for Signing Bill to Protect the Religious Liberties of Public School Students

Bill to Protect the Religious Liberties of Public School Students

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Elijah Haahr called the governor’s signing of HB 1303 Wednesday an important victory for religious liberty in the state of Missouri. The bill, which was sponsored by Haahr, enacts the Missouri Student Religious Liberties Act to protect the religious rights and freedoms of Missouri’s public school students.

Haahr’s bill is similar to legislation signed into law in the state of Mississippi last year, It is designed to protect students from being discriminated against for expressing their religious viewpoints or engaging in religious activities in a public school setting. Specifically, the bill permits the voluntary student expression of religious viewpoints in public schools. It also requires public school districts to allow religious expression in class assignments and provide students with the freedom to organize religious groups and activities in public schools.

“This is a great victory for children and families who want to see their religious freedoms protected in all public places including our schools. I want to thank Governor Nixon for signing this important protection into law and applaud my colleagues in the legislature who came together to give this idea overwhelming support,” said Haahr, R-Springfield.

Haahr’s bill also allows public school districts to allow a limited public forum for student speakers at non-graduation and graduation events. In addition, it requires public school districts to issue a disclaimer at these events clarifying that viewpoints expressed are those of the student and not those of the school or district.

With the governor’s signature the bill is now set to become law on Aug. 28.

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