ENGR. H.B. 2422 Summary

• Enacts the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act requiring school districts to treat student religious expression the same as secular expression on permissible subjects without discrimination

• Mandates school districts adopt policies establishing limited public forums for student speakers at school events, graduations, and other designated occasions with neutral selection criteria and required disclaimers about school non-sponsorship

• Protects student religious expression in homework and classroom assignments by requiring grades be based on academic standards of substance and relevance, not on religious content

• Permits students to organize religious groups, prayer gatherings, and clubs with the same access to facilities and advertising as non-religious student organizations without discrimination

• Provides civil remedies including equitable relief, compensatory damages, and attorney fees for violations; effective July 1, 2014 with emergency declaration