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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 58th Legislature (2022)
SENATE BILL 1161 By: Burns
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2021,
Section 11-103.11, which relates to an elective
course on the Hebrew Scriptures; directing certain
instruction to include certain component; directing
certain version of Bible to be used as primary text
in certain course; directing preference in choosing
certain comparison; providing for applicability of
certain law to certain resources; al lowing certain
member of the clergy to teach certain course;
requiring each school district library to include
certain version of the Bible; providing an effective
date; and declaring an emergency .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 11 -103.11,
is amended to read as follows:
Section 11-103.11. A. A school district may offer to students
in grade nine or above :
1. An elective course on the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)
and its impact and an elective course on the New Testame nt and its
impact; or
2. An elective course that combines the courses described in
paragraph 1 of this subsection.
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B. The purposes of courses authorized by this sec tion are to:
1. Teach students knowledge of biblical content, characters,
poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding
contemporary society and culture , including literature, art, music,
mores, oratory, and public policy; and
2. Familiarize students with, as applicable:
a. the contents of the Hebrew Scriptures or New
Testament,
b. the history of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament,
c. the literary style and structure of the Hebrew
Scriptures or New Test ament, and
d. the influence of the Hebrew Scriptures or New
Testament on law, history, government, literature,
art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture ,
especially as it pertains to the United States of
America and this state.
C. The Authorized Version of the Bible, which is more commonly
known as the King James Version of the Bible, shall be the primary
text of the course and may be supplemented with additional
resources. The primary text Other texts for the course will may be
a parallel translation Bible or multi-translation Bible that uses
more than one translation for side -by-side comparison chosen by the
school district. In choosing a comparison translation, preference
shall be given to those translations which exist in the public
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domain. Any additional resources used shall be subject to al l
applicable copyright laws. However, a student may not be required
to use a specific translation as the sole text of the Hebrew
Scriptures or New Testament and may use as the basic textbook a
different translation of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testamen t from
that chosen by the district board of education or the student ’s
teacher.
D. A course offered pursuant to th is section shall follow
applicable law and all federal and state guidelines in m aintaining
religious neutrality and accommodating the diverse religious views,
traditions, and perspectives of students in the school district. A
course offered pursuant to th is section shall not endorse, favo r, or
promote, or disfavor or show hostility t oward, any particular
religion or nonreligious faith or relig ious perspective. Nothing in
this section is intended to violate any provision of the United
States Constitution o r federal law, the Oklahoma Consti tution or any
state law, or any rules or guide lines provided by the United States
Department of Education o r the State Department of Education.
E. A teacher of a course offered pursuant to this section must
shall be certified to teach social studies or li terature. An
ordained or licensed member of t he clergy may be selected by the
school district to teach a course offered pursuant to this section,
provided that the member of the clergy complies with the provisions
of subsection D of this section and is a non -compensated volunteer.
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F. Each school district library in this state shall include the
Authorized Version of the Bible, more commonly known as the King
James Version of the Bible, to be used in a course offered pursuant
to this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2022.
SECTION 3. It being immediatel y necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health , or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof thi s act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
58-2-2554 EB 1/3/2022 12:40:09 PM