05 LC 22
5856
House
Bill 807
By:
Representatives Mangham of the
94th,
Neal of the
1st,
Walker of the
107th,
Beasley-Teague of the
65th,
Stanley-Turner of the
53rd,
and others
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 21 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to a brief period of quiet reflection, so as to clarify that
the daily moment of quiet reflection in public schools shall accommodate
students who wish to exercise their freedom of religion to engage in silent
prayer or silent meditation; to provide for legislative findings; to provide
that students may reflect on an inspirational poem or reading, pray silently, or
meditate silently during the moment of quiet reflection; to repeal conflicting
laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
The
General Assembly finds that the hectic pace of
todaýs
society allows few of our citizens, particularly our young citizens, to
experience a daily moment of quiet reflection before plunging headlong into the
daýs
activities. The General Assembly finds that requiring a moment of silence at
the beginning of each day in our public schools would be beneficial to our
students, to be used as a moment for reflecting on the anticipated activities of
the day, perusing an inspirational poem or reading, or engaging in silent prayer
or meditation. The General Assembly further finds that a daily moment of
silence would accommodate students who wish to engage in silent prayer or
meditation as a free exercise of religion, while subjecting the freedom of each
individual student to the least possible pressure from the state to engage in or
refrain from religious observation at school.
SECTION
2.
Article
21 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to a brief period of quiet reflection, is amended by striking Code Section
20-2-1050, relating to the brief period of quiet reflection, and inserting in
lieu thereof the following:
"20-2-1050.
(a)
In each public school classroom, the teacher in charge shall, at the opening of
school upon every school day, conduct a brief period of quiet reflection for not
more than 60 seconds with the participation of all the pupils therein
assembled.
(b)
The moment of quiet reflection authorized by subsection (a) of this Code section
is not intended to be and shall not be conducted as a religious service or
exercise but shall be considered as an opportunity for a moment of silent
reflection on the anticipated activities of the day.
During the
course of such silent reflection, students may reflect on an inspirational poem
or reading or engage in silent prayer, silent meditation, or other contemplative
activity.
(c)
The provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section shall not prevent
student initiated voluntary school prayers at schools or school related events
which are nonsectarian and nonproselytizing in
nature."
SECTION
3.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.