Texas House sends bill requiring 10 Commandments be displayed in schools back to committee
TEXAS - The Texas House sent a bill that would require schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom back to committee on Wednesday afternoon.
They are still expected to take up legislation that would allow school districts to set aside time for prayer and the reading of religious texts during the school day.
What is SB 10?
What we know:
Senate Bill 10 would require every public school classroom in Texas to display the Ten Commandments in a "durable poster or framed copy." The displays must be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall—large enough to be legible to a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom.
Schools without compliant displays would be required to accept donated copies or use public funds to install them. If enacted, the law would take effect in the 2025–26 school year.
The bill passed the Senate in March by a 20-11 vote.
What they're saying:
On the House floor Wednesday, Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin) asked the bill's sponsor, Rep. Candy Noble asked why the bill would not be considered indoctrination.
"I think what I'm trying to get at is anytime a teacher has a rainbow outside their classroom, we have politicians in this body crying, education, not indoctrination," Talarico said. "But now you're bringing a bill that literally forces religious indoctrination into our classroom."
Noble said the bill wasn't about indoctrination, but about historical documents used to found the country.
"This bill is about our foundational education and judicial system being founded in this and this document and other documents," Noble said. "But this bill is about the Ten Commandments."
Talarico challenged the bill, saying the bill's witness list was inaccurate.
After discussion, the challenge was withdrawn and the bill was sent back to committee.
What is SB 11?
Senate Bill 11 would allow school districts and public charter schools to set aside time during the school day for prayer and the reading of religious texts. Participation would require a signed parental consent form.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick voiced his support for the bill, saying, "Religious freedom is a bedrock principle upon which America was founded, recognizing our rights come directly from God, not the government."
The measure states that prayer time must occur outside of regular class instruction, and both students and staff would have the option to opt out.
It passed the Senate in March on a 23-7 vote.
Texas Senate passes bill requiring public schools to use B.C./A.D. system in classrooms
The bill would require teachers to use B.C. and A.D. when referencing dates and prevent the purchase of instructional material that uses B.C.E. and C.E.
What's Next:
Today’s House vote is the final hurdle before the bills can become law. The legislation is part of a broader push by some lawmakers to integrate Christian values into public education.
The other side:
Some lawmakers argue the bills violate the separation of church and state and say they are likely to face legal challenges if enacted.
The Source: Information in this article comes from Texas Legislature and previous FOX 4 coverage.