GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 822

Short Title:  Guarantee Religious Freedom in Schools.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senator Ballance.

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Referred to:  Education/Higher Education

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April 25, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO MANDATE THAT NEITHER THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION NOR THE LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION INTERFERE WITH FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 115C-47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
    	" (38)	To Guarantee Religious Freedom, Including the Right to Voluntary School Prayer. – All local boards of education shall have a policy of permitting participation in prayer in public schools by individuals on a voluntary basis. No local board of education shall require any person to participate in prayer or influence the form or content of any prayer in public schools. This subdivision shall not be construed to direct or allow any local board of education to take any action that violates the Constitutions of North Carolina or the United States."
Sec. 2.  G.S. 115C-12 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(23)	Duty to Assist Local Boards of Education in Guaranteeing Religious Freedom, Including the Right to School Prayer. – The State Board of Education shall assist local boards of education in carrying out their duties under G.S. 115C-47(38)."
Sec. 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1995, and applies to all school years beginning with the 1995-96 school year.