A.G. Gancarski
A priority for Jacksonville Rep. Kim Daniels this term: a bill she’s sponsoring in the Florida House to protect “religious expression in public schools.”
Her House Bill 303, a measure intended to give religious and secular expression equal weight in public schools, has a Senate companion being carried by Ocala Republican Sen. Dennis Baxley.
Senate Bill 436 — the “Florida Student and School Personnel Religious Liberties Act” — would ban school districts “from discriminating against students, parents, & school personnel on basis of religious viewpoints or expression.”
The bill would also allow for “religious expressions,” such as prayer, at school-sponsored events as part of a “limited public forum.”
The bill would allow religious clothing and jewelry. It would also allow “religious expression” in coursework, and also allow for prayer groups and “religious gatherings” that could be organized at any time a commensurate (and undefined) secular activity is permitted, including during the school day.
Daniels tells us that constituents of hers wanted such a bill, and unlike any other bill she’s carrying this session, she has worked to sell this one.
Last month, Daniels held a rally in Tallahassee in support of the measure.
And this weekend, she’s leading a fast in support.
“Senate Bill 436 – filed by Senator Baxley as the Companion Bill to HB 303 will be heard on Monday in Tallahassee. We are fasting Sunday from 8 am through Tuesday @ 6pm (The 1st day of Session)…let the Lord lead you on the kind of fast if you desire to participate. Our fast is liquid only,” Daniels posted to Facebook Friday.
Baxley’s bill will be heard by the Education Committee.
Thus far, Daniels’ bill is not on any committee agenda yet, though it has been referred to
