House Panel OKs Bill Authorizing 'Inspirational Messages' by Students

Submitted by Anonymous on February 22, 2012 - 10:16am

A bill permitting student-led "inspirational messages" at Florida's public schools easily cleared the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday.

Senate Bill 98 overcame objections from Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach, and other Democratic lawmakers who warned it would trigger constitutional challenges by blurring the line between church and state.

Noting that the one-page bill never uses the word "prayer," Reps. Charles Van Zant, R-Palatka; Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar; and Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando, led proponents in declaring that students should not have to check their free-speech rights at schoolhouse doors.

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