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IN SB0233
Bill
AI Summary
SB 233 Summary
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School corporations may instruct students about the history of traditional winter celebrations and allow students and employees to offer traditional greetings including "Merry Christmas," "Happy Hanukkah," "Happy Holidays," and other seasonal greetings.
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School corporations may display scenes or symbols associated with traditional winter celebrations (including menorahs, Christmas trees, Nativity scenes, and other religious symbols) on school property if the display includes symbols from more than one religion or one religion combined with at least one secular symbol.
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Displays may not include messages that encourage adherence to a particular religious belief.
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The state board of education must develop guidelines to assist school corporations in developing appropriate instruction and displays concerning traditional winter celebrations.
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Cities and towns may adopt ordinances allowing employees to use traditional winter greetings and display winter celebration symbols on city or town property under the same conditions as school corporations (effective July 1, 2015).
Legislative Description
Winter holidays in schools, cities, and towns. Provides that a school corporation may: (1) instruct students about the history of traditional winter celebrations; (2) allow the use of traditional greetings concerning the celebrations; and (3) display on school property scenes or symbols associated with traditional winter celebrations if certain conditions are met and the scenes or symbols do not include a message that encourages a particular religious belief. Requires the state board of education to develop guidelines to assist school corporations in developing appropriate instruction and displays. Provides that the legislative body of a city, including a consolidated city, or
Last Action
First Reading: referred to Committee on Government and Regulatory Reform
3/2/2015