SB429 Summary

• Creates the Alabama Student Religious Liberties Act of 2013, prohibiting school districts from discriminating against students or parents based on religious viewpoint or religious expression in public schools.

• Requires school districts to allow students to express religious beliefs in homework, artwork, class assignments, and coursework without penalty or reward based on religious content, with work evaluated by ordinary academic standards.

• Mandates that students have freedom to organize prayer groups, religious clubs, "see you at the pole" gatherings, and other religious activities to the same extent as other noncurricular student groups, with equal access to school facilities and advertising opportunities.

• Requires school districts to adopt policies establishing limited public forums for student speakers at school events and graduation ceremonies, with student speakers selected by neutral criteria and school districts providing written or oral disclaimers that student speech does not reflect district endorsement.

• Permits students to wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry displaying religious messages or symbols on the same basis as other types of messages or symbols are permitted.

• Becomes effective beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.