hb1265_LC_21_9735_a_2.html
08 LC 21 9735
House Bill 1265
By: Representative Smith of the 168th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT


To amend Chapter 1 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to state government, so as to provide a short title; to provide that public employees and persons under the care or control of the state or a political subdivision shall not be restricted or discouraged from expressing greetings or salutations associated with any religious or cultural day or period of commemoration; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Freedom of Religious Expression Act."

SECTION 2.
Chapter 1 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to state government, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"50-1-9.
No employee of the state or any political subdivision of the state or any public authority or corporation and no student, prisoner, ward of the state, or any other person under the care or control of the state or any political subdivision or authority of the state shall be restricted or discouraged in any way from expressing greetings or salutations associated with any religious or cultural day or period of commemoration, including, without limitation, 'Merry Christmas,' 'Ramadan Kareem,' 'Namasté,' 'Happy Hanukkah,' and 'Happy Kwanzaa.'"

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All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.