hb678_LC_14_9161_a_2.html
05 LC 14 9161
House Bill 678
By: Representatives Burkhalter of the 50th, Lunsford of the 110th, and Davis of the 109th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to certain programs and activities under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide that state law shall not prohibit a private school from conducting a prayer prior to an athletic event held on the campus of the private school; to provide that athletic teams from public schools shall not be prohibited from participating in an athletic event held on the campus of a private school in this state for the reason that the hosting private school conducts a prayer prior to such athletic event; to provide that public schools shall not participate in interscholastic sports events which are conducted under the authority of, conducted under the rules of, or scheduled by any athletic association which prohibits or discourages a private school from conducting a prayer prior to an athletic event held on the campus of the private school; to provide a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to certain programs and activities under the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended by adding at its end a new Code Section 20-2-319 to read as follows:
"20-2-319.
(a) No law or regulation of this state shall prohibit or be construed as prohibiting or discouraging a private school from conducting a prayer prior to an athletic event held on the campus of the private school.
(b) No athletic team from any public school in this state shall be prohibited by state law or regulation from participating in an athletic event held on the campus of a private school in this state for the reason that the private school conducts a prayer prior to such athletic event.
(c) No school which receives funding under this article shall participate in, sponsor, or provide coaching staff for interscholastic sports events which are conducted under the authority of, conducted under the rules of, or scheduled by any athletic association which prohibits or discourages a private school from conducting a prayer prior to an athletic event held on the campus of the private school.
(d) As used in this Code section, the term 'athletic association' means any association of schools or any other similar organization which acts as an organizing, sanctioning, scheduling, or rule-making body for interscholastic athletic events in which public schools in this state participate."

SECTION 2.
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.

SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.