hb 1446

CHAPTER 277

HB 1446 - FINAL VERSION

AN ACT relative to the recitation of the pledge of allegiance in the public schools.

SPONSORS: Rep. Sapareto, Rock 13; Rep. Jacobson, Merr 2; Rep. Rosen, Belk 7; Rep. Stone, Rock 7; Rep. Milligan, Hills 18; Sen. Gatsas, Dist 16; Sen. Johnson, Dist 3; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Disnard, Dist 8; Sen. Barnes, Dist 17

This act establishes the New Hampshire School Patriot Act which requires that school districts authorize a period of time during the school day for the recitation of the pledge of allegiance. Pupil participation in the recitation of the pledge of allegiance shall be voluntary.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT relative to the recitation of the pledge of allegiance in the public schools.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

277:1 Lord's Prayer [~~and Pledge of Allegiance~~] in Public Elementary Schools. Amend RSA 194:15-a to read as follows:

194:15-a Lord's Prayer [~~and Pledge of Allegiance~~] in Public Elementary Schools. As [~~a continuation of the policy of teaching our country's history and as~~] an affirmation of the freedom of religion in this country, a school district may authorize the recitation of the traditional Lord's prayer [~~and the pledge of allegiance to the flag~~] in public elementary schools. Pupil participation in the recitation of the prayer [~~and pledge of allegiance~~] shall be voluntary. Pupils shall be reminded that this Lord's prayer is the prayer our pilgrim fathers recited when they came to this country in their search for freedom. Pupils shall be informed that these exercises are not meant to influence an individual's personal religious beliefs in any manner. The exercises shall be conducted so that pupils shall learn of our great freedoms, which freedoms include the freedom of religion and are symbolized by the recitation of the Lord's prayer.

277:2 New Section; School Districts; New Hampshire School Patriot Act. Amend RSA 194 by inserting after section 15-b the following new section:

I. As a continuation of the policy of teaching our country's history to the elementary and secondary pupils of this state, this section shall be known as the New Hampshire School Patriot Act.

II. A school district shall authorize a period of time during the school day for the recitation of the pledge of allegiance. Pupil participation in the recitation of the pledge of allegiance shall be voluntary.

III. Pupils not participating in the recitation of the pledge of allegiance may silently stand or remain seated but shall be required to respect the rights of those pupils electing to participate. If this paragraph shall be declared to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining paragraphs in this section shall not be affected, and shall continue in full force and effect.