The bill, H.B. No. 717, seeks to amend the Education Code by adding a new section that explicitly protects the right of public school employees to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty. The proposed Section 22.012 states that this right cannot be infringed upon by school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, or other state governmental entities, except in cases where the infringement is necessary to further a compelling state interest and is narrowly tailored using the least restrictive means to achieve that interest.

The bill emphasizes the importance of safeguarding religious expression in public schools while also establishing a framework for when such rights may be limited. If passed, the act would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it would become effective on September 1, 2025.

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