MS bill for daily prayer, religious text reading during school moves forward. Here are details
The Mississippi House passed a bill Feb. 11 that could mandate structured prayer time during school hours.
House Bill 1310 would require public schools and nonsectarian public charter schools to create a daily opportunity for voluntary prayer and religious text reading.
“It protects parents and students’ religious freedom and ends official hostility to religion, restoring a constitutional balance that has long been missing,” the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jansen Owen, R-Poplarville, said during floor debate, Mississippi Public Broadcasting reported.
Critics of the bill questioned if it was necessary, stating that the current law protects religious freedom enough without requiring a daily structured prayer time, MPB and WLBT reported.
House Bill 1310 passed on an 80-35 vote and will now move to the Senate.
Here’s what to know about the bill and current statutes on religious expression during school hours in Mississippi.
What exactly would Mississippi HB 1310 do?
In addition to requiring a voluntary period for daily prayer and religious text reading for students and staff, House Bill 1310 would do the following:
- Require written consent forms confirming participation is voluntary and waives state and federal legal claims
- Ban schools from using PA systems to broadcast religious prayers or readings
- Forbid schools from using this period to replace instructional time
- Make sure prayer and readings aren’t conducted around non-consenting individuals
- Clarify that individual prayer or expression at other times is not banned
- Require the state AG to provide guidance, consent forms and legal defense to participating schools
If passed in both chambers, the bill would take effect for the 2026-2027 school year.
What’s the current law in Mississippi?
Mississippi has several statues on prayer and other religious expressions while at school, including the following:
- Students may pray, read religious texts, form religious clubs and express religious views in school work as long as it’s student-initiated, voluntary and non-disruptive
- Schools and employees cannot lead, organize or endorse prayer or religious exercises
- Schools may choose to have a moment of silence during non-instructional time
- Students can individually pray or engage in religious expression just as they would engage in other personal speech
Do any other states have similar bills?
Yes, Tennessee, Texas, Florida and Alabama, are among other states that have introduced bills aiming to establish designated prayer time during school.
