BLOG: FL's Religious Expression Law. /INDEX.HTML

2021.06.25 (Some links to the bills on the .gov site FAILed; so they have been dropped and other links used instead.)

First, the passage of the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” marks a significant step towards returning control and oversight of children to parents. It has become all too common for parents to be left in the dark on issues arising at school that affect the health and well-being of their children. The withholding of information related to education and mental and physical health of children by schools and school officials from parents violates a parent’s fundamental right to direct his child’s upbringing, education, and welfare. The Parents’ Bill of Rights outlines the rights that parents have in relation to their child’s education and what happens to them at school. It directs schools to establish specific methods by which parents are to be informed of and to consent in writing to issues that would affect the education, health, or well-being of their child. The text of the final bill headed to the Governor’s desk can be found here: HB 241

The Women’s Sports Bill which bans men from participating in women’s sports narrowly passed the finish line this year when it was amended at the last minute onto a bill addressing Charter Schools (SB 1028 (73pgs.)). After a remarkable late-night debate in the Senate the bill passed! The “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” portion of the bill finds that the state has an interest in making sure sports contests are fair for women and that men (most of whom claim to be transgender) are not permitted to compete on a women’s athletic team. For purposes of enforcement, the standard for admission on the team as a woman requires that a person’s biological sex be confirmed by the sex listed on her birth certificate. This is a major victory and one which we were not sure would make it.

The Sex Education “Opt-In” Bill which, as originally written, required schools to let parents review sex education curriculum and then “opt-in” if they wanted the curriculum taught to their child was amended and passed as amended. In its current form, the bill still requires parents have access to review a school’s sex education curriculum, but instead of opting in, parents are required to send in a written request to have their children excluded from the education or class. This is still a major and meaningful reform. The text of the final bill headed to the Governor’s desk can be found here: HB 545
In 2019 before this became law, Hisways USA, Inc made a FLYER to promote Mat Staver's Esq. (Liberty Counsel, lc.org) FLYER: Parental Non-Consent Form for Protecting Children. Hisways believes that his Form is still valid and it may be suitable or adaptable to increase your child's protection and also meet the requirements of the new "Opt-in" i.e. "excluded" "written request".

Another good bill, Moment of Silence, which requires every public school to begin each day with a moment of silence passed and is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Under current law, a moment of “prayer or meditation” in public schools is merely optional. Making it mandatory will give students a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the school day and allow them an opportunity to start their day with prayer if they so choose. It also affords parents the opportunity to talk with their children about the importance of starting the day focusing on the more important things in life – particularly for parents who are followers of Christ. The text of the final bill headed to the Governor’s desk can be found here: HB 529
(See also our parents' helper /action page: Moment of Silence in Public Schools.)

Updated 09/18/18 In 2017 The FL legislature passed Ch_2017-074.pdf The Freedom of Expression Law for all 67 county school boards to adopt in 2018. Freedom of Expression is especially safe guarded in Florida. See the:

FL DOE Model Policy: (Florida Department of Education Model Policy on Religious Expression in Public Schools - ModelPolicy.pdf
Hisways' annotated copy: FL DOE's Policy On Religious Expression Print a personal copy to carry in your district or ask your school board for a copy.
One of the significant sections: Students Engaging in Religious Activities and Expression at School
1. A student may pray or engage in religious activities or religious expression before, during, and after the school day in the same manner and to the same extent that a student may engage in secular activities or expression.
2. A student may organize prayer groups, religion clubs, and other religious gatherings before, during, and after the school day in the same manner and to the same extent that a student is permitted to organize secular activities and groups.
Now that FL has a Religious Expression Law we should seek a 1st Amendment Workshop with CEUs for Teachers so that the law is understood and that no one gets offended.