Public schools; electives on the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament and the New Testament. (SB132)
Introduced By
Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Midlothian) with support from co-patron Del. Mark Cole (R-Fredericksburg)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Public schools; electives on the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament and the New Testament. Requires the Board of Education to authorize local school boards to offer as an elective in grades nine through 12 with appropriate credits toward graduation a course on the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament of the Bible or the New Testament of the Bible or a combined course on both. The bill requires the Board of Education to develop Standards of Learning and curriculum guidelines for such courses. The bill provides that the purpose of such courses is to introduce students to biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public policy. The bill prohibits students from being required to use a specific translation of a religious text when taking the courses and provides that such courses shall maintain religious neutrality and shall not endorse, favor, promote, disfavor, or show hostility toward any particular religion or nonreligious perspective. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
12/17/2019 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/20 20103693D |
12/17/2019 | Referred to Committee on Education and Health |
01/09/2020 | Impact statement from DPB (SB132) |
01/09/2020 | Assigned Education sub: Public Education |
01/16/2020 | Passed by indefinitely in Education and Health (8-Y 6-N) (see vote tally) |