SLS 12RS-1727 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
SENATE BILL NO. 641
BY SENATOR CROWE
SCHOOLS. Requires governing authorities of public and state-approved nonpublic schools
to require students in grades four through six to recite a specified passage from the
Declaration of Independence. (8/1/12)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:268(A), relative to required student activities; to provide that2
the governing authority of each public and state-approved nonpublic school requires3
all students in grades four through six to recite a specified passage of the Declaration4
of Independence; to provide for exceptions; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 17:268(A) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 7
ยง268. Declaration of Independence and Federalist Papers 8
A.(1) The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America shall9
be made required study in all elementary schools throughout the state. 10
(2)(a) Each parish, city, and other local school board in the state and the11
governing authority of each nonpublic school approved by the State Board of12
Elementary and Secondary Education shall require students in grades four13
through six to recite at the commencement of the first class of each day the14
following passage from the Declaration of Independence:15
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,16
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that17 SB NO. 641
SLS 12RS-1727 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure1
these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers2
from the consent of the governed."3
(b) Any student may be excused from the requirements of this4
Subsection at the option and discretion of his or her parent or guardian.5
* * *6
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Carla S. Roberts.
DIGEST
Present law requires that the Declaration of Independence be made required study in all
elementary schools throughout the state.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that the governing authority of each public and
state-approved nonpublic school shall require students in grades four through six to recite
a specified passage from the Declaration of Independence at the commencement of the first
class of each day. Allows any student to be excused from such requirement at the option of
his or her parent or guardian.
Effective August 1, 2012.
(Amends R.S. 17:268(A))