HB 1348
AN ACT relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
This Texas bill requires all public elementary and secondary schools to display a standard 16x20 inch poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom, with specific formatting and text requirements. Schools must either use public funds to purchase compliant posters or accept privately donated posters that meet the specified criteria, with implementation beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates that the posters include a specific version of the Ten Commandments and be legible from anywhere in the classroom, potentially raising constitutional questions about separation of church and state.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
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: 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. 7. You shall not commit adultery. 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, mor 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 (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 (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 (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 SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 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.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Religion and related subject areas.
Ky Ash
Elizabeth Hadley
John Sepehri
Galt Graydon
Chris Hosek
David Doran Parker
Christopher Hughes
Jacob Smith
Carley Butler
Bill Jones
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.
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