Bill > SB99

This bill mandates that beginning January 1, 2027, public schools in Alabama must display a poster or framed document of the Ten Commandments in every fifth through twelfth-grade classroom where U.S. history is taught, and in common areas of schools serving those grades, provided that these displays are funded by donations or provided free of charge. The content of the display, which must be at least 11 by 14 inches and have an approved layout, will include a common translation of the Ten Commandments, a statement about their historical significance in shaping Western Civilization and the U.S., and references to founding documents like the Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, and Northwest Ordinance, acknowledging their connection to religion and morality. The bill emphasizes that this is intended to promote historical understanding and a common cultural heritage, not to establish religion, and includes a disclaimer recognizing students' and families' freedom of faith. The State Superintendent of Education will approve the design, and the State Department of Education will identify free resources to help schools comply, ensuring no local school board is required to spend its own funds on these displays.