HB 1591

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to education; authorizing individual
3district school boards by resolution to allow an
4inspirational message at specified secondary school-
5related events; providing requirements; providing
6legislative intent; providing severability; providing an
7effective date.
8
9Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
10
11     Section 1.  Any district school board is authorized to
12adopt a resolution allowing the use of an inspirational message,
13including an invocation or a benediction, at a secondary school
14commencement exercise or a secondary school-related
15noncompulsory student assembly. The resolution must provide
16that:
17     (1)  The use of an inspirational message shall be at the
18discretion of the students.
19     (2)  An inspirational message, if used, shall be given by a
20student volunteer.
21     (3)  School personnel shall not participate in or otherwise
22influence the exercise of the discretion of the students in the
23determination of whether to use an inspirational message.
24     Section 2.  The purpose of this act is to provide for the
25solemnization and memorialization of secondary school events and
26ceremonies. This act is not intended to advance or endorse any
27religion or religious belief.
28     Section 3.  If any provision of this act or the application
29thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
30invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of
31this act that can be given effect without the invalid provision
32or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are
33declared severable.
34     Section 4.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2007.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.