Senate Bill 17

Actions | Amendments
Last Action signed by Governor (Acts, ch. 15)
Title AN ACT relating to the expression of religious or political viewpoints in public schools and public postsecondary institutions.
Bill Documents Current/Final
Introduced
Bill Request Number 910
Sponsors A. Robinson, D. Carroll, C. Embry Jr., R. Girdler, D. Seum, D. Thayer, M. Wilson, M. Wise
Summary of Original Version Amend KRS 158.183 to permit students to voluntarily express religious or political viewpoints in school assignments free from discrimination; require local boards of education to ensure that the selection of student speakers is made in a viewpoint-neutral manner, the student's prepared remarks are not altered before delivery without student's consent, religious and political organizations are allowed equal access to public forums on the same basis as nonreligious and nonpolitical organizations, and no recognized religious or political student organization is discriminated against in the ordering of its internal affairs; allow students to display religious messages on items of clothing, access public school facilities during noninstructional time as a religious student organization, use school media to announce student religious meetings, and meet as a religious student group during noninstructional time and before and after school to the same extent as students undertaking such actions in a nonreligious manner; permit public schools to sponsor artistic or theatrical programs that advance students' knowledge of society's cultural and religious heritage; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to allow a teacher to teach about religion with the use of the Bible or other scripture without providing religious instruction, and to teach about religious holidays in a secular manner; amend KRS 158.186 to require annual notification to local school boards, school-based decision making councils, and certified employees of statutes pertaining to religious freedom and expression in schools; create a new section of KRS Chapter 164 to require public postsecondary education institution governing boards to ensure that students are permitted to voluntarily express religious or political viewpoints in assignments free from discrimination, the selection of student speakers is made in a viewpoint-neutral manner, the student's prepared remarks are not altered before delivery without the student's consent, religious and political organizations are allowed equal access to public forums on the same basis as nonreligious and nonpolitical organizations, no recognized religious or political student organization is discriminated against in the ordering of its internal affairs, and there are no restrictions on speech that occurs outdoors on campus and is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, except for restrictions that are reasonable, justified without reference to speech content, narrowly tailored to serve governmental interest, and limited to provide alternative options for the communication of the information.
Index Headings of Original Version Education, Elementary and Secondary - Religious and political expression and assembly in schools
Education, Higher - Religious and political expression and assembly
Religion - Religious and political expression and assembly in schools
Teachers - Religion and religious holidays, teaching of
Universities and Colleges - Religious and political expression and assembly
Children and Minors - Religious and political expression and assembly in schools
Proposed Amendments Senate Committee Substitute 1
Senate Floor Amendment 1
Votes Vote History

Actions

Top | Amendments
01/03/17
  • introduced in Senate
  • taken from Committee on Committees (S)
  • 1st reading
  • returned to Committee on Committees (S)
01/04/17
  • taken from Committee on Committees (S)
  • 2nd reading
  • returned to Committee on Committees (S)
01/07/17
  • to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)
02/09/17
  • reported favorably, to Rules with Committee Substitute
  • posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, February 10, 2017
  • floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
02/10/17
  • 3rd reading, passed 31-3 with Committee Substitute and floor amendment (1)
  • received in House
02/21/17
  • to Education (H)
02/27/17
  • posted in committee
02/28/17
  • reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
03/01/17
  • 2nd reading, to Rules
03/02/17
  • posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 3, 2017
03/06/17
  • 3rd reading, passed 81-8
  • received in Senate
  • enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
  • enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
  • delivered to Governor
03/16/17
  • signed by Governor (Acts, ch. 15)

Proposed Amendments

Top | Actions
Amendment Senate Committee Substitute 1
Summary Retain original provisions; amend Section 4 to clarify that a student's speech shall not be restricted.
Index Headings Education, Elementary and Secondary - Religious and political expression and assembly in schools
Education, Higher - Religious and political expression and assembly
Religion - Religious and political expression and assembly in schools
Teachers - Religion and religious holidays, teaching of
Universities and Colleges - Religious and political expression and assembly
Children and Minors - Religious and political expression and assembly in schools

Amendment Senate Floor Amendment 1
Sponsor J. Carroll
Summary Delete restriction of teacher observance of holidays.
Index Headings Education, Elementary and Secondary - Religious and political expression and assembly in schools
Education, Higher - Religious and political expression and assembly
Religion - Religious and political expression and assembly in schools
Teachers - Religion and religious holidays, teaching of
Universities and Colleges - Religious and political expression and assembly
Children and Minors - Religious and political expression and assembly in schools

Last updated: 1/16/2019 3:02 PM (EST)