State Senator Dennis Baxley files religious expression in schools bill

Florida Senator Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala) today announced that he has filed Senate Bill 436, relating to Religious Expression in Public Schools. This bill prohibits a school district from discriminating against students, parents, or school personnel based on religious viewpoints or expression. It prohibits penalty or reward for a student’s religious expression in coursework, artwork, or other specified assignments and requires a school district to comply with the federal requirements in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, etc.
“Freedom works” said Senator Baxley. “The First Amendment clearly protects our right to free speech, which includes religious expression, and we must work to ensure that right is maintained.” He continued, “I look forward to working with my partner in the Florida House, Representative Kimberly Daniels, to ensure our school administrators, faculty, and students have the support they need to enact good common sense policy.”
“I am honored to be the sponsor of this legislation.” said Representative Daniels. “We are following precedent set in the states of Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and Georgia. We are encouraged by the response my office has received. It is clear that freedom of religious expression is of great importance to the people of Florida.”