 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
schools; flags; display; civil penalty
Purpose
Imposes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation on a school district or charter school that violates the requirements to display the U.S. flag, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and set aside time for the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence.
Background
Statute requires a school district or charter school to: 1) display a U.S. flag in each classroom and on or near the outside of a school building during school hours and any other time as directed by school authorities; 2) place a legible copy of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights adjacent to each 7th through 12th grade classroom’s U.S. flag; 3) set aside a specific time each day for students who wish to recite the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag; and 4) set aside between one and two minutes at the beginning of each school day for a moment of silence. A displayed U.S. flag must be at least two feet by three feet and manufactured in the United States. Private schools, parochial schools and homeschools are exempt from these requirements (A.R.S. § 15-506).
Federal law prescribes requirements for the size, design and display of the U.S. flag, including time, occasion and position for display (4 U.S.C. §§ 1-10).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Subjects, to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation, a school district or charter school that violates the statutory requirements to:
a) display a U.S. flag, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights; and
b) set aside time each day for the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence as specified.
2. Requires the Attorney General to impose and collect the civil penalties.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 31, 2023
LB/slp