Bill > SB2514

This bill, known as the Mississippi Open to Religion Act, requires the governing board of every school district and public charter school in Mississippi to adopt a policy that provides students and employees with an opportunity to participate in a daily period of prayer and reading of religious texts, such as the Bible. This period can include voluntary individual or group activities, but it cannot replace instructional time. Crucially, participation is not mandatory; both employees and parents or guardians of students must provide written consent, acknowledging the voluntary nature of participation and waiving the right to sue the school district or its employees for claims related to this policy, including those under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Consent can be revoked, but the waiver of liability remains in effect. Schools must ensure that these religious activities are not conducted in a way that would negatively impact those who have not consented or have revoked their consent, potentially by holding them before school hours or in designated areas where all participants have consented. The law will take effect for the 2026-2027 school year, and the Attorney General will provide guidance and a model consent form to assist schools in complying with these requirements.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2514.xml