Florida bill allows freedom of religious expression in public schools – WJHG-TV

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A bill allowing freedom of religious expression in public schools became effective on July 1.

Senate Bill 436, also known as the "Florida Student and School Personnel Religious Liberties Act," prohibits a school district from discriminating based on religion.

The bill is separate from House Bill 7069, which covers an array of items including mandated 20 minute recess for public schools.

The bill also prohibits penalty or reward for a student's religious expression in assignments.

Lee Stafford, the Director of Student Services for Bay District Schools, said this bill will not greatly impact practices in the district because it already allows freedom of religious expression.

"I know that Bay District Schools has always allowed that so, there is, with this new bill, there is very little change for our practice, because it has been allowed in Bay District Schools," said Stafford.

She also said the bill allows students to use free time in school to pray.

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Florida bill allows freedom of religious expression in public schools - WJHG-TV