FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 605

92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES KELLY (36), JETTON, SELBY, CROWELL, EMERY, ERVIN,

REINHART, WRIGHT, DIXON (Co-sponsors), BAKER, KELLY (144), BRINGER, CRAWFORD, RECTOR,

McKENNA, MERIDETH, BARNITZ, PHILLIPS, HARRIS (110), BLACK, HAMPTON, KUESSNER,

DEEKEN, STEVENSON, BISHOP, THOMPSON, BLAND, MORRIS, WILDBERGER,

HOBBS AND MOORE.

         Read 1^st time March 5, 2003, and copies ordered printed.

STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk

2001L.01I

AN ACT

To amend chapter 160, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the reading or posting of certain historical documents in public schools.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 160, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 160.745, to read as follows:

            160.745. 1. Any teacher, administrator, or local school board in any public school district of this state may read or post in a public school building, classroom, or at a school event any excerpts or portions of any historical document, writing, or record relating to the founding of the United States of America or the state of Missouri, or both, and any historical document, writing, or record that represents a substantial influence on national or state history, to include:

            (1) The preamble to the Missouri Constitution;

            (2) The Declaration of Independence;

            (3) The Constitution of the United States of America;

            (4) The Mayflower Compact;

            (5) The national motto;

            (6) The national anthem;

            (7) The Pledge of Allegiance;

            (8) The writings, speeches, documents, and proclamations of the founding fathers and Presidents of the United States of America;

            (9) The writings, speeches, and documents relating to civil rights leaders of the United States of America;

            (10) The writings, speeches, and documents relating to the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America;

            (11) The decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States of America; and

            (12) Acts of the Congress of the United States of America, including the published text of the Congressional record.

            2. There shall be no content-based censorship of American or Missouri history as represented in its historical documents, writings, and records based upon religious references contained within these documents, writings, and records; nor shall there be a use of such documents, writings, and records to advance or inhibit a religion or particular religious belief.