HB2116 - Relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.

  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.