MS HB1403

Requires school districts to offer a secular program of education on religion and the Bible as elective courses for grades 9-12 in high schools.

Mandates courses include objective study of the Hebrew Scriptures and Old Testament, the New Testament, and a combined study of all three.

Prohibits courses from endorsing, favoring, or promoting any particular religion and requires compliance with state and federal laws maintaining religious neutrality.

Allows students flexibility by prohibiting requirement of a specific Bible translation as the sole course text.

Permits local school boards to reference religion and religious literature incidentally in other courses when not constituting aid to any religious sect.