SF2975 - Student Religious Liberties Act Summary

• Public school districts cannot discriminate against students or parents based on religious viewpoint or religious expression and must treat religious expression the same as secular expression on otherwise permissible subjects.

• Students may express religious beliefs in homework, artwork, and oral assignments without penalty or reward based on religious content, with work evaluated only on ordinary academic standards of substance and relevance.

• Students may pray, organize religious groups and clubs, wear religious clothing and symbols before, during, and after school to the same extent as nonreligious activities, with equal access to school facilities and advertising opportunities.

• School districts must adopt a policy establishing a limited public forum for student speakers at school events using neutral selection criteria, with district disclaimers stating the school does not endorse student speech and no exclusion of religious viewpoints on otherwise permissible subjects.

• The Commissioner of Education must develop and maintain a state model policy in consultation with school administrator and principal associations, and establish procedures for reviewing compliance and investigating complaints about violations.