GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

H	3 

HOUSE BILL 65
Committee Substitute Favorable 3/29/95
Senate Education/Higher Education Committee Substitute Adopted 6/7/95

Short Title:  U.S. Flag/Pledge in Classroom.	(Public)

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Sponsors:

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Referred to:  

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January 30, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ENCOURAGE THE DISPLAY OF THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH CAROLINA FLAGS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS, TO ENCOURAGE THE RECITAL OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TO DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP MODEL GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS ACT, AND TO ENCOURAGE DONATIONS OF FLAGS TO BE DISPLAYED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 115C-47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(29a)	To Encourage the Display of the United States and North Carolina Flags, and to Encourage the Recitation of the Pledge or Oath of Allegiance. – Local boards of education are encouraged to adopt policies to (i) provide for the display of the United States and North Carolina flags in each classroom, (ii) provide the opportunity for students to recite the Pledge or Oath of Allegiance on a regular basis, and (iii) provide age-appropriate instruction on the historical origins of the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.  These policies shall not compel any person to stand, salute the flag, or recite the Pledge of Allegiance."
Sec. 2.  The State Board of Education shall develop model guidelines to assist local boards of education in the implementation of this act.  These guidelines shall recommend options that may or should be offered to students, teachers, and others who object to the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance to ensure that no person is compelled to stand, salute the flag, or recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  The State Board shall disseminate these guidelines to local boards of education by October 30, 1995.
Sec. 3.  Local boards of education, superintendents, and principals are encouraged to solicit and may accept donations of flags or funds to purchase or replenish flags to be displayed in public school classrooms.
Sec. 4.  This act is effective upon ratification.