HB1456 Summary: Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act

• Creates the "Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act" requiring school districts to treat student expression of religious viewpoints the same as secular viewpoints on otherwise permissible subjects without discrimination.

• Authorizes school districts to establish limited public forums for student speakers at school events (football games, assemblies, graduations) with neutral selection criteria and requires school disclaimers stating the district does not endorse student speech content.

• Protects student rights to express religious beliefs in homework and classroom assignments, which must be graded on academic standards without penalty or reward based on religious content.

• Permits students to organize religious groups, prayer groups, and religious clubs with equal access to school facilities as other student organizations, and requires equal treatment in advertising and promoting such groups.

• Provides Attorney General enforcement authority and allows private civil causes of action with equitable relief, compensatory damages, and attorney fees for violations; becomes effective July 1, 2013 with emergency declaration.