South Dakota House committee rejects Gov. Noem’s bill to ‘restore protections for prayer in schools’

A Republican-controlled South Dakota House committee rejected Republican Gov. Kristi Noem’s bill that would require public schools to set aside time for students to pray every morning if they so choose, reportedly due to pressure from education groups.

The bill, introduced in December, would “require a moment of silence in schools to begin the school day.” But it was rejected by the House Education Committee on Friday after education groups argued that voluntary prayer is already allowed in schools and the proposed legislation could imply an unclear mandate, The Associated Press reports.

The legislation would mandate that “no school employee may dictate the action to be taken by students or teachers during the moment of silence” and that “no student may interfere with another student’s engagement in the moment of silence.”.. (Excerpts from the Christian Post)