Bill Text: GA HB1459 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Brief period of quiet reflection; accommodate freedom of religion; clarify

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-03-26 - House Second Readers [HB1459 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB1459-Introduced.html

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10 LC 33 3716

House Bill 1459

By: Representatives Loudermilk of the 14th, Mangham of the 94th, Neal of the 1st, Everson of the 106th, and Collins of the 95th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 21 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to a brief period of quiet reflection, so as to clarify that the daily moment of quiet reflection in public schools shall accommodate students who wish to exercise their freedom of religion to engage in silent prayer or silent meditation; to provide for legislative findings; to provide that students may reflect on an inspirational poem or reading, pray silently, or meditate silently during the moment of quiet reflection; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

The General Assembly finds that the hectic pace of today's society allows few of our citizens, particularly our young citizens, to experience a daily moment of quiet reflection before plunging headlong into the day's activities. The General Assembly finds that requiring a moment of silence at the beginning of each day in our public schools would be beneficial to our students, to be used as a moment for reflecting on the anticipated activities of the day, perusing an inspirational poem or reading, or engaging in silent prayer or meditation. The General Assembly further finds that a daily moment of silence would accommodate students who wish to engage in silent prayer or meditation as a free exercise of religion, while subjecting the freedom of each individual student to the least possible pressure from the state to engage in or refrain from religious observation at school.

SECTION 2.

Article 21 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to a brief period of quiet reflection, is amended by revising Code Section 20-2-1050, relating to the authorization of a brief period of quiet reflection, as follows:

"20-2-1050.

(a) In each public school classroom, the teacher in charge shall, at the opening of school upon every school day, conduct a brief period of quiet reflection for not more than 60 seconds with the participation of all the pupils therein assembled.

(b) The moment of quiet reflection authorized by subsection (a) of this Code section is not intended to be and shall not be conducted as a religious service or exercise but shall be considered as an opportunity for a moment of silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day. During the course of such silent reflection, students may reflect on an inspirational poem or reading or engage in silent prayer, silent meditation, or other contemplative activity.

(c) The provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section shall not prevent student initiated voluntary school prayers at schools or school related events which are nonsectarian and nonproselytizing in nature."

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.