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MS HB1310

Bill

Status

Failed

3/3/2026

Primary Sponsor

Charles Blackwell

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Requires all Mississippi public school districts and nonsectarian charter schools to adopt policies providing daily opportunities for voluntary student and employee participation in prayer and Bible or religious text readings
  • Mandates signed parental consent forms for student participation that include acknowledgment of voluntariness and an express waiver of state and federal legal claims, including Establishment Clause claims
  • Prohibits prayer or religious readings over public address systems and bars such activities from substituting for instructional time; activities may be scheduled before/after school hours or in designated areas with full consent
  • Requires safeguards ensuring prayer or religious readings do not occur in the presence or hearing of non-consenting individuals
  • State assumes liability for legal expenses, judgments, and settlements when the Attorney General provides defense to participating districts at their request; effective date July 1, 2026

Legislative Description

"Mississippi Open to Religion Act"; establish.

Last Action

Died In Committee

3/3/2026

Committee Referrals

Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency2/17/2026
Education1/19/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available