Bill > HB2110

This bill, amending Arizona Revised Statutes, adds a new section that requires deliberative governing bodies of public schools and educational institutions to allow a member to provide an invocation, which is defined as a prayer or invocation delivered to open a meeting, if requested at least 48 hours in advance. The bill specifies which bodies constitute the "deliberative governing body" for various entities, including school district governing boards, charter school governing bodies, career technical education district governing boards, the Arizona state schools for the deaf and the blind board of directors, community college district governing boards, and the Arizona board of regents. Importantly, the bill prohibits any invocation from being used to proselytize or advance one faith while disparaging another, or to coerce participation from observers. The legislative findings accompanying the bill emphasize that these governing bodies are quasi-legislative and deliberative, responsible for significant policy and financial decisions, and that their meetings are primarily for conducting official business.

Education, Government Affairs

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83738