summary
Introduced
02/24/2025
02/24/2025
In Committee
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
Crossed Over
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT TO SCHEDULE RECITATION OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL DAY AND TO REQUIRE RECITATION OF THE PLEDGE AT STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND GOVERNING BODY MEETINGS.
AI Summary
This bill mandates the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in various educational settings across North Carolina, specifically requiring schools (including local boards of education, charter schools, regional schools, and laboratory schools) to schedule the Pledge of Allegiance daily within one hour of the start of the instructional day. The bill also requires the display of United States and North Carolina flags in classrooms when available and calls for age-appropriate instruction on the meaning and historical origins of the flag and Pledge. Importantly, the legislation emphasizes that no person can be compelled to stand, salute the flag, or recite the Pledge. Additionally, the bill extends the Pledge of Allegiance requirement to State Board of Education meetings and public school governing body meetings, mandating that these gatherings begin with the recitation of the Pledge, again with the caveat that participation cannot be mandatory. The legal reference for the Pledge of Allegiance is specified as 4 U.S.C. § 4, which is the federal statute defining the national pledge. The bill is set to take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, giving educational institutions time to prepare for and implement these new requirements.
Committee Categories
Education, Government Affairs, Justice
Sponsors (41)
John Bell (R)*,
Brian Biggs (R)*,
Jennifer Capps Balkcom (R)*,
Neal Jackson (R)*,
Jonathan Almond (R),
Hugh Blackwell (R),
John Blust (R),
Jerry Branson (R),
Richard Carver (R),
Mike Clampitt (R),
Patricia Cotham (R),
Jimmy Dixon (R),
Brian Echevarria (R),
Blair Eddins (R),
Karl Gillespie (R),
Ed Goodwin (R),
Frank Iler (R),
Jake Johnson (R),
Brenden Jones (R),
Keith Kidwell (R),
Donnie Loftis (R),
Jarrod Lowery (R),
Charlie Miller (R),
Ben Moss (R),
Erin Paré (R),
Howard Penny (R),
Joe Pike (R),
Reece Pyrtle (R),
Heather Rhyne (R),
Dennis Riddell (R),
Paul Scott (R),
Phil Shepard (R),
Larry Strickland (R),
Steve Tyson (R),
Bill Ward (R),
Harry Warren (R),
Diane Wheatley (R),
Donna White (R),
David Willis (R),
Matthew Winslow (R),
Jeff Zenger (R),
Last Action
Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (on 03/20/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H186 |
| Analysis - Summary H186-SMBE-8(e2)-v-2 | https://dashboard.ncleg.gov/api/Services/BillSummary/2025/H186-SMBE-8(e2)-v-2 |
| Analysis - Summary H186-SMRN-9(e2)-v-3 | https://dashboard.ncleg.gov/api/Services/BillSummary/2025/H186-SMRN-9(e2)-v-3 |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H186v2.pdf |
| Analysis - Summary H186-SMBE-4(CSBE-2)-v-4 | https://dashboard.ncleg.gov/api/Services/BillSummary/2025/H186-SMBE-4(CSBE-2)-v-4 |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H186v1.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H186v0.pdf |
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