December 3, 2013, Introduced by Senators COLBECK, NOFS, PROOS, GREEN, CASWELL, BRANDENBURG and MARLEAU and referred to the Committee on Education.
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled
"The revised school code,"
(MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding sections 1238 and 1259.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1238. (1) In order to encourage a school culture that
respects and values our civic heritage, the board of a school
district or intermediate school district or board of directors of a
public school academy shall allow and encourage any public school
teacher, educator, or administrator to read or post in a public
school building, in a classroom, or at any public school event
excerpts or portions of writings, documents, and records that
reflect the history of the United States, including, but not
limited to, any of the following:
(a) The declaration of independence.
(b) The constitution of the United States.
(c) The federalist papers.
(d) The anti-federalist papers.
(e) The bill of rights.
(f) The pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States.
(g) The Northwest ordinances.
(2) This section and section 1259 shall be known as the
constituting Michigan-founding principles law.
Sec. 1259. (1) On real property that it controls, a school
district, intermediate school district, or public school academy
may display documents and objects of historical significance that
have formed and influenced the legal system or republican form of
free representative government of the United States based on the
rule of law found in the constitution of the United States and the
bill of rights. The documents and objects that may be displayed
include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(a) The documents listed in section 1238.
(b) The Magna Carta.
(c) The Mayflower compact.
(d) The state constitution of 1963 or another constitution of
this state.
(e) The national motto.
(f) The national anthem.
(g) The writings, speeches, documents, and proclamations of
the founding fathers and presidents of the United States.
(h) Another document or object of historical significance in
forming or influencing the United States or its legal or
governmental system or that exemplifies the development of the rule
of law.
(2) A display described in subsection (1) may include, but
shall not be limited to, documents that contain words associated
with a religion. However, the display shall not seek to establish
or promote religion or other philosophy. The display of a document
containing words associated with a religion shall be in the same
manner and appearance generally as other documents and objects
displayed and shall not be presented or displayed in any fashion
that results in calling attention to it apart from the other
displayed documents and objects. The display also shall be
accompanied by a prominent sign quoting the First Amendment to the
constitution of the United States as follows: "Congress shall make
no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of
the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the government for a redress of grievances.".
(3) This section and section 1238 shall be known as the
constituting Michigan-founding principles law.