2017 -- H 5385 | |
======== | |
LC000179 | |
======== | |
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017 | |
____________ | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO EDUCATION - SCHOOL DISPLAY - TRADITIONAL WINTER | |
CELEBRATIONS | |
| |
Introduced By: Representatives Morgan, Lancia, Roberts, Giarrusso, and Nardolillo | |
Date Introduced: February 03, 2017 | |
Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended |
2 | by adding thereto the following chapter: |
3 | CHAPTER 20.1 |
4 | SCHOOL DISPLAYS |
5 | 16-20.1-1. Winter celebration. |
6 | (a) Any school district may educate students about the history of traditional winter |
7 | celebrations and may allow students and school personnel to offer traditional seasonal greetings |
8 | concerning the celebrations, including Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays. |
9 | (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) herein, any school district may display on school |
10 | property scenes or symbols associated with traditional winter celebrations, including a Menorah |
11 | or a Christmas image such as an nativity scene or Christmas tree, as long as the display includes a |
12 | scenery symbol of more than one religion or one religion and at least one secular scenery or |
13 | symbol. |
14 | (c) No school traditional winter celebration display shall include a message that |
15 | encourages adherence to a particular religious belief. |
16 | 16-20.1-2. Severability. |
17 | If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances |
18 | is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter, |
| |
1 | which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the |
2 | provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable. |
3 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
======== | |
LC000179 | |
======== | |
| LC000179 - Page 2 of 3 |
EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO EDUCATION - SCHOOL DISPLAY - TRADITIONAL WINTER | |
CELEBRATIONS | |
*** | |
1 | This act would permit school districts to allow students and school personnel to offer |
2 | traditional winter celebration greetings. It would also allow school displays, with limitations, |
3 | which exhibit scenes and symbols of traditional winter celebrations. |
4 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
======== | |
LC000179 | |
======== | |
| LC000179 - Page 3 of 3 |