Voluntary School Prayer Protection Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-201
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]
Introduced: 2023-01-09
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Education programs funding

Elementary and secondary education

Religion

School administration

State and local government operations
Latest action: action_date: 2023-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-01-09
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Voluntary School Prayer Protection Act of 2023</b></p> <p>This bill prohibits the Department of Education (ED) from providing funding for public schools that restrict voluntary school prayer.</p> <p>Specifically, the bill prohibits ED from providing funds to state or local educational agencies with policies that deny, or effectively prevent, individuals from voluntarily participating in public school prayer that is constitutionally protected.</p>

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 201 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 9, 2023 Mr. Rouzer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To prohibit the provision of Federal funds to any State or local educational agency that denies or prevents participation in constitutionally protected prayer in schools, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Voluntary School Prayer Protection Act of 2023 . 2. Funding contingent on respect for constitutionally protected school prayer (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds made available through the Department of Education shall be provided to any State or local educational agency that has a policy of denying, or that effectively prevents participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in public schools by individuals on a voluntary basis. (b) Limitation No person shall be required to participate in prayer or influence the form or content of any constitutionally protected prayer in public schools.