The "Religious Rights at Public Schools Act of 2025" aims to affirm and clarify the religious rights of students and employees in public schools and open-enrollment charter schools in Arkansas. The bill emphasizes the importance of religious freedom as a fundamental aspect of democracy and education, stating that students should have the opportunity to develop a virtuous lifestyle guided by meaningful values. It outlines various rights that students and employees retain under the First Amendment, including the right to pray, express religious viewpoints, and engage in religious activities on school property, as well as the right to possess and read religious texts.
Additionally, the bill mandates that each public school district and charter school provide a copy of the act to students and employees at the beginning of each school year. It also allows for the inclusion of religious texts in school libraries and classrooms and permits the offering of academic courses on the Bible. The act serves as a guide to inform residents about religious protections in schools while affirming that individuals retain unlisted rights beyond those explicitly mentioned in the legislation.