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Prayer Period in Schools Backed by Texas Legislature
- On May 22, 2025, the Texas House approved Senate Bill 11 in Austin, enabling school districts to establish a designated period during the school day for students and staff to voluntarily pray or read religious materials.
- The bill follows a 2019 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that loosened restrictions on religious expression in public schools, motivating lawmakers to address local control and religious freedom issues.
- SB 11 requires parental consent and school board approval for prayer periods, forbids prayer during class time, and permits both students and staff to opt out of participation.
- Republican Rep. David Spiller characterized the bill as a means to safeguard religious freedom and uphold local decision-making, emphasizing that it does not require anyone to participate in prayer, while opponents cautioned that it could lead to government endorsement of religion within schools.
- The bill’s passage signals a shift toward expanding religious expression in Texas schools but raises constitutional concerns about church-state separation and potential conflicts over implementation.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Legislature approves bill requiring daily prayer, Bible reading in public schools
The Texas House of Representatives today (Friday, May 23) passed Senate Bill 11 mandating a daily period set aside in Texas public schools for prayer and reading the Bible. Having passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature, the measure is now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for his signature. Texas Freedom Network Political Director Rocío Fierro-Pérez criticized the vote in a written statement, warning that the bill “allows politicians to i…
Legislature passes bill mandating prayer, bible reading in public schools
The Texas House of Representatives today (Friday, May 23) passed Senate Bill 11 mandating a daily period set aside in Texas public schools for prayer and reading the Bible. Having passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature, the measure is now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for his signature. Texas Freedom Network Political Director Rocío Fierro-Pérez criticized the vote in a written statement, warning that the bill “allows politicians to i…
Texas Standard
Houston Public MediaSchool prayer, Bible-reading bill authored by Houston-area senator passes Texas House
The House gave its preliminary approval to Senate Bill 11, written by state Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), on Thursday afternoon. If it passes its third and final reading, it will go to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature.
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