H.F. 231 Section 1. NEW SECTION . 279.50A Elective biblical literacy 1 course —— requirements. 2 1. If a school district offers an elective biblical literacy 3 course, the school district shall not knowingly violate any 4 provision of law as defined in section 17A.2. A biblical 5 literacy course offered in accordance with this section is 6 subject to federal and state guidelines regarding religious 7 neutrality, and the course so offered shall recognize and 8 acknowledge the diverse religious views, traditions, and 9 perspectives of students enrolled in the school district. The 10 course shall not endorse, favor, promote, or disfavor, or be 11 hostile toward, any particular religion, faith, or nonreligious 12 perspective. 13 EXPLANATION 14 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 15 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 16 This bill provides that if a school district offers a 17 biblical literacy course, the school district is prohibited 18 from violating any provision of law in offering the course. 19 Such a course is subject to federal and state guidelines 20 regarding religious neutrality, and must recognize and 21 accommodate the diverse religious views, traditions, and 22 perspectives of students enrolled in the school district. Such 23 a course shall not endorse, favor, promote, or disfavor, or be 24 hostile toward, any particular religion, faith, or nonreligious 25 perspective. 26 -1- LSB 1855YH (4) 88 kh/jh 1/ 1