A proposed constitutional amendment meant to protect religious expression in public schools sparked heated debate on Jan. 22 in its final committee stop, where critics warned that the measure could diminish freedoms for students with a minority religion or no religion.
Rep. Chase Tramont, R-Port Orange, filed HJR 583 with the intention of bringing multiple aspects of Florida law into the state constitution, essentially strengthening the existing statutes from being repealed during a legislative session.
The measure would require public schools to allow students to express religious beliefs in artwork, coursework and assignments. If passed by the Legislature, the measure would be in the hands of voters in November to decide with a minimum 60% threshold in the midterm ballot.
Yet speakers during public comment largely opposed the measure, drawing concerns that it may have the opposite effect of protecting religious expression.
“There is nothing radical about this bill, certainly nothing new or controversial here as was stated,” Tramont said. “It makes me wonder why anyone would be so adamantly opposed to this, enough to even testify — so adamantly opposed that they don’t even want the people to decide for themselves. That’s how much people oppose prayer.”
One public education advocate, Kristin Muschett, said she was concerned about the “constitutional permanence” of these measures.
“My concern is governance and the unintended consequences, not religion itself,” Muschett said. “Advance these protections if desired through statute, but not through the constitution.”
Lawmakers advanced the proposed resolution in the House Education & Employment Committee Jan. 22, which was its last committee stop. Its companion Senate resolution, SJR 1104, has yet to appear in committee, and both resolutions would need to pass through its respective chambers to make it through to the ballot.
One lawmaker, Rep. Jennifer Harris, D-Orlando, voted against the resolution. She said she felt that most of the provisions were already codified by not only the Florida constitution, but also the U.S. Constitution, and that it’s up to courts to uphold religious freedom under the First Amendment.
Harris also was concerned about the broadness of “expression,” since complications could arise when one person’s religion offends another person’s religion.
“I’m afraid that in some way this bill could actually do the opposite, because it has a tendency to allow the religion of majority,” Harris said.
But Rep. Jervonte Edmonds, D-West Palm Beach, disagreed. He applauded the bill for its goal of protecting religious expression.
“This bill does not force religion into schools, it does not elevate one faith, it does not ask teachers to preach, it does not change curriculum,” Edmonds said.
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Fla. She can be reached at SMatat@gannett.com. On X: @stephanymatat.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida school religion amendment sparks heated debate
Reporting by Stephany Matat, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
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