IN HB1500

Adds IC 20-33-1-2.5 to Indiana Code, effective July 1, 2015, prohibiting public schools from discriminating against students or parents based on religious viewpoint or religious expression.

Students may express religious beliefs in homework, artwork, and written or oral assignments without discrimination, with assignments evaluated by ordinary academic standards unrelated to religious content.

Students may pray, organize prayer groups, and wear religious clothing, accessories, and jewelry in the same manner as nonreligious activities and items, provided religious activities do not disrupt instruction or impede school facility access.

School corporations and charter schools must adopt a policy establishing a limited public forum for student speakers at school events with neutral selection criteria, content restrictions on obscene speech, and a disclaimer that student speech does not represent school endorsement.

Does not authorize mandatory participation in prayer or religious activities, violate constitutional rights, or limit school authority to maintain discipline, protect safety, or enforce content and viewpoint neutral speech policies.