REFERENCE TITLE: schools; pledge; quiet reflection

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

HB 2597

Introduced by

Representatives Fillmore: Barton, Biasiucci, Blackman, Bolick, Burges, Carroll, Carter, Chaplik, Cobb, Cook, Diaz, Dunn, Finchem, Griffin, Hoffman, Kavanagh, Martinez, Nguyen, Osborne, Parker, Payne, Pingerelli, Toma, Weninger, Wilmeth, Senators Barto, Gowan, Leach, Rogers

AN ACT

amending section 15-506, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to schools.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 15-506, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE15-506. Flag, Constitution and Bill of Rights display; recitation of pledge of allegiance; quiet reflection; exemption

A. School districts and charter schools shall:

1. Acquire United States flags that are manufactured in the United States and that are at least two feet by three feet and hardware to appropriately display the United States flags.

2. For grades seven through twelve, acquire a legible copy of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights that is manufactured in the United States.

3. Display the flags in accordance with title 4 of the United States Code in each classroom and on or near the outside of the school building during school hours and at such other times as the school authorities direct.

4. For grades seven through twelve, place a legible copy of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights adjacent to each classroom flag.

5. For kindergarten programs and grades one through six, set aside a specific time each day for those students who wish to recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.  Students shall recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag during this time. At the request of a parent, the parent's student shall be excused from the requirement of this paragraph.

6. For grades four through twelve, set aside a specific time each day for students to engage in quiet reflection and moral reasoning for at least one minute.  Students shall engage in quiet reflection and moral reasoning during this time.  At the request of a parent, the parent's student shall be excused from the requirement of this paragraph.

B. Private schools, parochial schools and homeschools are exempt from this section. END_STATUTE