bill requiring the Ten Commandments in every classroom

The text as introduced · 573 words

89R8351 ANG-F

By: Spiller
H.B. No. 2116

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Education Code, is amended by adding

Section 1.0041 to read as follows:

Sec. 1.0041. DISPLAY OF TEN COMMANDMENTS. (a) A public

elementary or secondary school shall display in a conspicuous place

in each classroom of the school a durable poster or framed copy of

the Ten Commandments that meets the requirements of Subsection (b).

(b) A poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments

described by Subsection (a) must:

(1) include the text of the Ten Commandments as

provided by Subsection (c) in a size and typeface that is legible to

a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom in which

the poster or framed copy is displayed; and

(2) be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall.

(c) The text of the poster or framed copy of the Ten

Commandments described by Subsection (a) must read as follows:

"The Ten Commandments

I am the LORD your God.

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

2. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything

in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in

the land the Lord your God is giving you.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet

your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or

donkey, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor."

(d) A public elementary or secondary school in which each

classroom does not include a poster or framed copy of the Ten

Commandments as required by Subsection (a) must:

(1) accept any offer of a privately donated poster or

framed copy of the Ten Commandments provided that the poster or

copy:

(A) meets the requirements of Subsection (b); and

(B) does not contain any additional content; and

(2) display the poster or framed copy as specified in

Subsection (a).

(e) If a public elementary or secondary school has a poster

or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in each classroom that does

not meet the requirements of Subsection (b), the school may replace

the posters or copies with posters or copies that meet the

requirements of Subsection (b) using public funds or by accepting a

private donation.

(f) A public elementary or secondary school must offer a

poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments described by

Subsection (a) in the school's possession that is not needed for

display in a classroom as a donation to another public elementary or

secondary school.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026

school year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.