TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Senate has approved a bill promoting student-initiated prayer and other “inspirational messages” at public school assemblies.
The bill was passed 31-8 on Wednesday with some Democrats joining Republicans to support the measure.
Sen. Gary Siplin sponsored the bill. The Orlando Democrat says it keeps students and not administrators in charge of whether and how to deliver messages of inspiration.
Such messages could include student-initiated and student-led prayer.
Other Democratic senators say the bill may be unconstitutional and will almost certainly be challenged in court. U.S. Supreme Court decisions have banned state-sponsored prayer in public schools.
A House version of the bill is stalled in committee.
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