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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
public schools; moment of silence
Purpose
Requires school districts and charter schools to set aside between one and two minutes at the beginning of each school day for a moment of silence for students in kindergarten programs and grades 1 through 12 (K-12 students).
Background
A school district or charter school must set aside a specific time each day for students who wish to recite the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag. A school district governing board may require a period of silence to be observed at the beginning of the first class of the day. If required, the teacher in charge of the class must announce that: 1) the period of up to one minute of silence will be observed for meditation; and 2) during that time other activities are prohibited and silence must be maintained (A.R.S. §§ 15-342 and 15-506).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
2. Directs teachers to encourage parents of K-12 students to discuss with their children how to best use the moment of silence.
3. Prohibits a teacher or other school employee from suggesting the nature of any reflection in which a student may engage during the moment of silence.
4. Prohibits students from interfering with other students' participation in the moment of silence.
5. Makes technical changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
ED 2/15/22 DP 8-1-1-0
3rd Read 2/24/22 47-12-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 18, 2022
LB/KJA/slp