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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 876
BY REPRESENTATIVES SEABAUGH, ARMES, ARNOLD, BARRAS, BERTHELOT,
BROADWATER, BROWN, BURFORD, HENRY BURNS, CARMODY,
CHANEY, CONNICK, COX, CROMER, GAROFALO, GUILLORY, GUINN,
HARRIS, HARRISON, HENRY, HILL, HODGES, HOFFMANN, HOLLIS,
HOWARD, HUNTER, IVEY, JEFFERSON, KLECKLEY, LEOPOLD, LOPINTO,
LORUSSO, JAY MORRIS, NORTON, PYLANT, REYNOLDS, RICHARD,
SCHRODER, STOKES, WHITNEY, AND WILLMOTT AND SENATOR CROWE
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:2118, relative to the recognition of traditional winter celebrations in public2
schools; to authorize school boards to allow certain greetings and displays; to3
provide limitations; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 17:2118 is hereby enacted to read as follows:6
ยง2118. Celebrations in winter7
A. A school board may educate students about the history of traditional8
celebrations in winter and allow students and district staff to offer traditional9
greetings regarding the celebrations, including but not limited to:10
(1) Merry Christmas.11
(2) Happy Hanukkah.12
(3) Happy holidays.13
(4) Happy Kwanzaa.14
B. Except as provided by Subsection C of this Section, a school board may15
display on school property scenes or symbols associated with traditional celebrations16
in winter, including a menorah or a Christmas image such as a nativity scene or17
Christmas tree, if the display includes a scene or symbol of at least one of the18
following:19
(1) More than one religion.20 ENROLLEDHB NO. 876
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(2) One religion and at least one secular scene or symbol.1
C. A display relating to a traditional celebration may not include a message2
that encourages adherence to a particular religious belief.3
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: