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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
school classrooms; ten commandments; posting
Purpose
Allows any Arizona school teacher or administrator to read or post, in any school building, copies or excerpts of the Ten Commandments.
Background
An Arizona school teacher or administrator may read or post in any school building copies and excerpts of: 1) the national motto, in God we trust; 2) the national anthem; 3) the Pledge of Allegiance; 4) the preamble to the Arizona Constitution; 5) the U.S. Declaration of Independence; 6) the Mayflower Compact; 7) writings, speeches, documents and proclamations of the founding fathers and the U.S. presidents; 8) published decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court; 9) U.S. Congress acts; and 10) Arizona's motto, Ditat Deus (A.R.S. § 15-717).
A school district or charter school may offer an elective course for grades 9 through 12 pertaining to how the bible has influenced western culture. Before a school offers the course, a legal review must be conducted to ensure the course complies with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The course must follow all federal and state guidelines in maintaining religious neutrality and accommodating the diverse religious or nonreligious views, traditions and perspectives of students (A.R.S. § 15-717.01).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Adds the Ten Commandments to the list of materials from which an Arizona school teacher or administrator may read or post copies or excerpts in any school building.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 12, 2024
MH/slp