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House sends religious expression bill to governor


Texas students would have greater freedom to express their religious views on school campuses under a bill passed Saturday by the House and sent to Gov. Rick Perry, who has publicly supported the measure.

Under the legislation, religious beliefs expressed in homework, artwork and other assignments would be judged by traditional academic standards. Students couldn't be penalized or rewarded because of the religious content of their work.

Supporters say the bill is needed to protect students from censorship and school districts from lawsuits. But opponents argue it will lead to religious discrimination among students.

"We are allowing our young people to express their faith, whatever that faith is," said Rep. Larry Phillips, a Sherman Republican.

At an April news conference, Perry was surrounded by children and parents who said their religious speech was quashed at public school. Supporters of the bill have cited examples of students being prohibited from wishing troops overseas a "Merry Christmas" or told they couldn't distribute religious bracelets at recess.

The House had previously amended the bill to say the religious expression or speech could not discriminate against someone else's race, age, sexual preference or religious belief.

The Senate took that amendment out and the House voted to approve the Senate version of the bill 108-28. Several supporters argued that students should be allowed to express religious beliefs regarding sexual preference or whether their religion is superior to others.

Rep. Scott Hochberg, a Houston Democrat, argued against the bill, warning it would open up campuses to hate speech.

Supporters say the bill, sponsored by Rep. Charlie Howard, R-Sugar Land, writes into law protections already provided by U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

Critics, however, say it is an unconstitutional effort to encourage religion over non-religion in the state's public schools.

"The only good thing about this bill was the nondiscrimination clause," said Rep. Lon Burnam, a Fort Worth Democrat who predicted it would prompt lawsuits against schools.

The bill also requires schools to establish a "limited public forum" at all school events in which students speak. Schools would have to develop a neutral method for selecting students to speak at school events and graduation ceremonies, and provide a written or oral disclaimer that the student's speech was not endorsed by the school district.

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The religious expression bills is HB3678.