A bill some have called a cornerstone of the social conservative agenda this session, allowing public school students to run their own prayer sessions at organized events, has been expanded to include all grades.

The Senate will vote on the bill Wednesday.

The last-minute change introduced Tuesday on the Senate floor also removes the term “noncompulsory” from the initial bill.

Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, said he altered his bill, SB 98, that had previously been limited to just secondary students based on input from senators and the public during three committee meetings.

“All we’re doing is removing certain words,” Siplin said.

The bill, criticized primarily by Democratic members of the Senate, would allow school districts to adopt resolutions that let students use inspirational messages, without backing or influence from the district or district employees, at school-sanctioned exercises or assemblies.

Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, said the bill now before the Senate is different from what was presented to the committees.

Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray, asked what recourse a parent would have against a school board that allows first- and second-graders to give inspirational messages that may go against their religion.

“In other words, the inspirational message that my little children in elementary school would be receiving would not be up to the families, it would be up to the school board, who may not go to my church or synagogue,” Sachs said.

Siplin said the bill doesn’t advocate one religion over another or require the message to be religious at all. 

“It’s completely voluntary, on their own volition,” Siplin said.

The American Civil Liberties Union has threatened to expect  a lawsuit.

The House companion bill, HB 317, sponsored by Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, has yet to go before a committee.



Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.